SAHIWAL (Web Desk) – A serious administrative error at Teaching Hospital Sahiwal sparked outrage after a newborn girl was mistakenly declared dead, issued a death certificate and later returned alive to her family following police intervention and an internal review.
The incident has raised fresh concerns about patient identification procedures and administrative oversight in public hospitals, with the affected family demanding strict action against those responsible for the mistake.
According to the family, hospital staff informed them shortly after the delivery that the newborn had died. They said officials completed the required documentation, including issuing a death certificate, and obtained signatures from the child’s maternal uncle for the release of the body.
However, the family alleged that despite completing the formalities, hospital authorities failed to hand over the infant’s body. As uncertainty grew, relatives questioned the hospital administration and sought assistance from police after suspecting that something had gone wrong.
The matter quickly attracted public attention when family members staged a protest outside the hospital, claiming the newborn had been taken away despite being declared dead. The protest prompted local police and media representatives to visit the hospital and seek clarification from the administration.
Following the intervention, hospital officials launched an internal review of delivery records and patient documentation. According to the administration, the investigation revealed that the complainants’ baby was alive and had been mistakenly identified as another infant due to an administrative mix-up.
Hospital authorities explained that the confusion occurred because two women admitted to the maternity ward had identical names. Officials said the similarity resulted in the wrong family receiving a death certificate after records were incorrectly matched.
The administration maintained that another newborn had died, but the deceased infant belonged to a different mother with the same name. After reviewing patient files and verifying identification records, hospital staff located the surviving child and reunited her with her parents.
Officials described the incident as an unfortunate case of mistaken identity rather than intentional wrongdoing. They said patient records were thoroughly examined before confirming the identities of both newborns and correcting the error.
The explanation, however, has done little to ease the concerns of the affected family, who questioned how such a significant mistake could occur in a major public hospital. Family members argued that stronger verification procedures should have prevented the issuance of an incorrect death certificate and the emotional trauma they experienced.
The parents have appealed to Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz to order a comprehensive inquiry into the incident and ensure accountability for any negligence that contributed to the error.
Healthcare experts say hospitals must follow strict identification protocols for newborns immediately after delivery. These procedures typically include identification bands, detailed patient records and multiple verification steps before any medical documentation or transfer of infants takes place.
Medical administrators note that errors involving patient identification can have serious legal, ethical and emotional consequences. Such incidents often prompt hospitals to review internal procedures, staff training and documentation systems to minimize the risk of similar mistakes in the future.
The case has also renewed discussion about improving administrative standards in public healthcare facilities across Pakistan. Experts believe digital record management, barcode identification systems and enhanced staff supervision could significantly reduce the possibility of patient mix-ups.
Police have confirmed their involvement in resolving the dispute after receiving complaints from the family. While no criminal charges have been announced, authorities are expected to monitor any official inquiry initiated by the health department.
Hospital officials insist the incident resulted solely from an administrative error caused by matching patient names and not from any deliberate attempt to conceal information. Nevertheless, the unusual sequence of events has intensified calls for greater accountability and stronger safeguards within the healthcare system.
The family, meanwhile, says it remains grateful that the newborn was ultimately returned safely but believes a full investigation is necessary to prevent similar incidents from affecting other patients in the future.
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