Pakistan: Newborn deaths in Sargodha hospital

After the media spotlighted the high rate of newborn babies' deaths in Sargodha district hospital, Chief Justice Nasirul Mulk took suo motu notice ordering the Punjab government to submit a report explaining reasons for the death of 19 babies within a few days. The report presented before the court on Thursday, based on a five-member committee's findings, makes appalling revelations. 50 babies - 18 of them needing oxygen to breathe - were all crammed onto just 12 beds. There were only seven oxygen outlets, each one of them was manipulated in a non-professional manner to create multiple oxygen supply sources; there was no ventilator. Only four of the six baby warmers and three phototherapy units functioned. The investigation committee noted that "most of the children at the DHQ teaching hospital, Sargodha, had died due to prematurity, low birth weight, septicaemia (blood poisoning) and birth asphyxia (suffocation)." In short, poor medical facilities and weak maternal health contributed to the loss of so many lives. 

Considering that it happened in a teaching hospital, expected to be well-resourced, in one of the province's major cities, conditions in small town government-run hospitals could not be any different, if not worse. Unfortunately, like in various other fields, medical practitioners and administrators are not resistant to malpractices and inefficiency plaguing most government departments. In the present case, the health department had enough evidence to suspend the hospital's medial superintendent and initiate disciplinary proceeding against him under the Punjab Employees Efficiency, Discipline and Accountability Act, 2006. Going by some recent examples, it is a matter of time before some of his colleagues start agitating for his reinstatement. Unlike the past, the government must stay firm and hold all responsible to account so that others remain mindful of performing their professional duties as best as possible. The case should also serve as reminder for provincial authorities to improve conditions in other hospitals. 

At least for now the situation in DHQ Sargodha has stirred the provincial government into action. According to the report presented before the court, seven committees consisting of experts and public representatives have been formed to indentify problem areas and make recommendations for the improvement of health facilities. The recommendations are to be completed within a week and placed before the Chief Minister. Hopefully, speedy action will follow. Other provinces also need to keep an eye on the exercise and look for ideas to improve health facilities under their own jurisdiction. All must also pay urgent attention to their respective mother and child healthcare programme, with an emphasis on reproductive health.