A shocking case of negligence has emerged at Lahore’s Children’s Hospital, where expired medicines were allegedly administered to children, prompting immediate action by the Punjab Chief Minister’s Special Monitoring Unit.
According to a report by the Punjab Chief Minister’s Special Monitoring Unit, expired medicines were being used in outdoor wards and the bone marrow transplant department.
The revelations surfaced during an official inspection, raising serious concerns over patient safety.
The report described expired medicines as a direct threat to children’s lives. Authorities said negligence had been taken to an extreme level.
The monitoring unit found expired medicines and injections in OPDs and hospital wards. The report noted that these medicines were neither destroyed nor stored safely.
Officials termed the lapse a clear violation of medical protocols. A charge sheet has been presented to the concerned authorities.
Multiple shortcomings highlighted
Beyond medicines, the report pointed to flaws in overall patient care. Issues were identified in treatment quality, medicine supply, cleanliness, staff attendance, and the hospital’s security system.
Patients were reportedly forced to buy medicines from private medical stores. Diagnostic tests were also being conducted through private laboratories instead of hospital facilities.
The report highlighted unusual delays in children’s operations. Doctors allegedly failed to inspect patients or properly schedule surgeries.
This caused prolonged suffering for patients and their families. Officials said such delays reflected poor management and oversight.
Several doctors, nurses, and other hospital employees were found absent from duty. Inspectors also reported dirty hospital beds and unhygienic washrooms.
Fire extinguishers installed in the hospital were found to be expired. This raised further concerns about emergency preparedness.
The Special Monitoring Unit ordered a complete audit of hospital wards and pharmacies.
Strict action has been directed against those found responsible for the negligence.
