CMH refutes allegations of negligence

QUETTA: Combined Military Hospital (CMH) Quetta has refuted the allegations of negligence leveled in a news items which appeared in a column of a leading newspaper on August 4.

Talking to journalists here on Wednesday, Balochistan Minister for Inter-Provincial Coordination and Pakistan Muslim League-Q leader Captain-Dr. Ruqayya Saeed Hashmi said that after reading the column 'Rozan-e-Dawar Say' in a leading newspaper, she had held a meeting with senior officials of CMH Quetta administration who have informed her about the probe conducted into the matter.

It is recalled here that a senior bureaucrat who is also writer of literary books had leveled allegations in his letter published in the said column of a newspaper accusing the negligence of CMH Quetta the cause of death of his brother.

The matter has been thoroughly investigated at hospital level and it has been revealed that the comments made by the bureaucrat are imbalanced exaggerated and not based on facts, the CMH officials told Dr. Ruqayya in the meeting. It is noted here that Dr. Ruqayya had performed her service as Captain Doctor at CMH Quetta for several years.

She said that she herself reviewed the patients record of CMH Quetta which contained that Muhammad Saleem age 48 years was admitted in CMH Quetta Officers Ward on 3rd July 2012 with complaints of acute Gastroenteritis and Gastro Esophageal Reflux disease. On investigation, it was revealed that patient was also suffering from Ischemic Heart Disease and a senior cardiologist was also taken on board.

Dr. Ruqayya further said that according to the report, after full investigation including CT Scan, laboratory and clinical findings, patient was diagnosed as case of Acute Pancreatitis and Acute Cholicystitis. On the basis of diagnoses, patient was shifted to Intensive Therapy Center on 4th July 2012 besides; he was attended by Cardiologist and Surgical Specialist throughout his stay in this hospital.

Unfortunately beside all possible efforts which include hospital care and its staff's day and night efforts the acute nature of the disease-Acute Pancreatitis proved to be fatal for the patient on 7th July 2012, the CMH Quetta officials told Dr. Ruqayya adding that during the whole course of treatment patient was never advised any surgical intervention.

I myself reviewed the hospital record that during 1st July to 8th July 2012, the total number of General Anesthesia cases in the operation theater were 110, which clearly depicts and proves that as such there was no shortage of oxygen and routine/emergency operations were in progress as usual, said Dr. Ruqayya adding that CMH administration never compels its clientele to purchase medicines from Bolan Pharmacy located within the premises of CMH Quetta which is a private medical store.

Replying to another allegation about the parking in the letter of the bureaucrat, the CMH officials said in their report that parking for the civil non-entitle patients is located just opposite to the main entrance gate of this hospital which is solely due to the present security situation of the country in general and Balochistan province in particular.

CMH Quetta is a worthwhile tertiary care teaching military medical facility which entertained 17106 out door, 1501 indoor and 147 bomb blast/ bullet injuries patients during the period from June 2012 till date, said Dr. Ruqayya adding that now this hospital is facing another situation in the shape of strike of all public and government hospitals and it is receiving the bulk of civil patients, resultantly the workload rising manifold.