Dead patient decomposes, locked and forgotten in hospital store

The locked store of the District Headquarter Hospital in Isakhel tehsil had been harbouring the decomposed body of an elderly patient, DAWN has reported.

According to reports, Mohammad Ali, son of Mohammad Asif, was an injured elderly man who was brought to the hospital in February by Rescue 1122 after an accident. He was admitted and treated for a fracture but no relatives paid him a visit.

Ali was said to be mentally ill and grappling with speech. The patients in his ward complained about him after which he was shifted to another room.

When the Punjab health secretary visited the hospital a few days back, Ali was taken to an empty store and locked in for the duration of the visit to avoid any “objectionable” behaviour from him.

He remained locked since the hospital staff reportedly “forgot” to take him out after the visit. Days later, when a revolting smell began spreading through the hospital, the staff began interrogating only to find Ali’s decomposed body in the store room.

Upon receiving the news, Mianwali Deputy Commissioner Khalid Javed Gorayia went to the DHQ Hospital and called for an investigation into the incident.

He established an inquiry committee, led by DHO (HR) Dr. Rafiqe Khan.

An autopsy report will be provided to determine the cause of death.

The hospital administration has reportedly buried the body as an unknown person.