Punjab AG: “My head hangs in shame” over 14 newborn deaths at PIMS

Notably, the remarks came during a hearing on petitions by three Adiala Jail inmates seeking treatment at private hospitals, turning a routine medical-care case into a broader reckoning over hospital safety, administration responsibility, and the quality of care available to patients.

Key points

• Advocate General Islamabad Naveed Hayat Malik, jail authorities and Further Attorney General Rashid Hafeez additionally appeared before the court.
• Justice Muhammad Asif heard petitions filed by Owais Altaf, Ilyas Khan and Muhammad Ismail.
• During the hearing, Justice Asif questioned Punjab Advocate General Barrister Zafarullah Khan regarding the prisoners' requests and triggered concern over the recent PIMS fire.
• 14 infants killed in Islamabad hospital fire, latest in deadly pattern spanning 16 years.
• The lawyer additionally referred to the Supreme Court's Aug.

Justice Muhammad Asif heard petitions filed by Owais Altaf, Ilyas Khan and Muhammad Ismail. This person are seeking permission to receive treatment at private hospitals and greater access to their families.

Notably, the petitioners sought relief similar to that lately granted to former Prime Minister Imran Khan after a Supreme Court order concerning his medical examination and treatment at a private hospital.

Counsel for one of the prisoners informed the court that his client had been in jail for six months and was suffering from a condition similar to thalassemia. He requested that the inmate be transferred to a private hospital and cautioned that jail authorities could be held responsible if adequate treatment was not provided.

Notably, the lawyer additionally referred to the Supreme Court's Aug. 18 order and remarked the prisoner was willing to bear the cost of treatment at a private hospital.

Counsel for Muhammad Ismail. This person appeared through video link, remarked his client was suffering from a heart condition. He alleged that the jail superintendent rejected a request for treatment without consulting a doctor.

"Fourteen children have died in one day, " the judge remarked, questioning how patients could be anticipated to seek treatment at a major hospital if adequate safety measures were not in place.

"Preventing such incidents is the responsibility of the government, " Justice Asif remarked.

Barrister Zafarullah remarked there was no justification for defending the incident and described it as a deeply tragic and shocking event.

"There is no defence for this. It is a particularly tragic and shocking incident. I am deeply saddened by it, " he remarked.

He observed that some of the country's senior office-holders had received treatment at PIMS and noted the hospital had some of the country's best doctors.

Nevertheless, he acknowledged the seriousness of the fire and the lack of an immediate explanation for what happened.

"There is no explanation for yesterday's incident. My head hangs in shame over it, " Barrister Zafarullah remarked.

Notably, the court additionally expressed concern that the tragedy occurred in Islamabad, the federal capital, and emphasized the government's responsibility to ensure that public hospitals provide safe and adequate medical care.

In short, punjab AG: My head hangs in shame over 14 newborn deaths at is the central thread here, and readers can expect follow-up reporting as the picture becomes clearer.