Pakpattan, July 4, 2025: On the orders of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, the Medical Superintendent (MS) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of District Headquarters (DHQ) Hospital Pakpattan were arrested on Saturday in connection with the deaths of 20 children at the facility.
The chief minister made a surprise visit to the hospital and took immediate notice of the situation. Following her directives, police arrested MS Dr Adnan Ghafar and CEO Health Dr Sohail from the hospital premises. A First Information Report (FIR) has been lodged against both officials for alleged negligence and efforts to conceal facts related to the tragic deaths.
The incident, which occurred between June 16 and 22, triggered widespread public outrage, with families of the deceased children alleging medical negligence and claiming there was a shortage of oxygen in the facility. However, preliminary inquiry reports by the Punjab Health Department and Commissioner Sahiwal have presented a more complex picture.
According to officials, 15 of the deceased children were born in private hospitals and were brought to DHQ Pakpattan in critical condition. The remaining five deaths were linked to improper deliveries handled by untrained midwives. In many cases, the mothers of the infants were not brought along, further complicating treatment.
Contrary to initial reports, investigators found no evidence of oxygen shortage at the facility. Sources confirmed that 45 oxygen cylinders were available and a clinical audit of each child’s arrival and treatment was conducted. Meanwhile, three private hospitals have been sealed as part of the ongoing investigation into the chain of events leading to the children’s deaths.
A Punjab government spokesperson said that hospital officials, including the MS, attempted to cover up the actual causes, prompting swift and decisive action. Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, while expressing deep grief over the tragedy, vowed that those responsible will be held fully accountable.
“Negligence in healthcare, especially when it leads to the loss of innocent lives, will not be tolerated under any circumstances,” she said.
