LAHORE: The Specialized Healthcare & Medical Education Department has issued show-cause notices to two doctors of Allama Iqbal Teaching Hospital, Dera Ghazi Khan, seeking explanations over alleged negligence in handling a critically-ill patient.
According to an official notice dated April 29, 2026, Dr Muhammad Aamir Iqbal, senior registrar (Medicine) (BS-18/Regular), has been asked to explain his position regarding the treatment of Sajida Mehboob (late), a civil judge, who was brought to the hospital’s Emergency Department on April 25, 2026, in critical condition. The notice states that her condition was extremely serious upon arrival and that immediate emergency dialysis was considered necessary to stabilize her.
The document alleges that Dr Iqbal failed to timely inform and consult the head of the Medical Department, head of the Nephrology Department, and the medical superintendent while managing the patient. It further states that he did not ensure the opening of the dialysis unit or bring the matter to the notice of higher authorities when the situation exceeded his control. It cites failure to ensure timely coordination for ICU admission and urgent dialysis, and states that necessary measures were not properly adopted.
The department has directed Dr Iqbal to submit his explanation within seven days of receiving the notice, warning that failure to respond will result in ex-parte proceedings under the Punjab Employees Efficiency, Discipline and Accountability (Peeda) Act, 2006. A copy of the notice has been forwarded to relevant authorities, including the commissioner, DG Khan Division.
In a separate notice issued under Section 7(b) read with Section 5(1)(a) of the Peeda Act, 2006, Dr Muhammad Ibrahim, former deputy medical superintendent (Night) and ex-senior medical officer (BS-18/Regular) at the same hospital, has also been served a show-cause notice.
The notice states that while on night duty, Dr Ibrahim allegedly failed to attend, supervise, and respond to the same critically-ill patient despite being present in the hospital. The act has been described as gross negligence and dereliction of duty.
It is further alleged that he remained in his office during duty hours, did not respond to repeated calls from staff and attendants, and allowed the presence of an unauthorized private individual within the Emergency Department.
The department has decided to proceed under the relevant provisions of the Peeda Act without holding a formal inquiry.
Dr Ibrahim has been directed to submit a written reply within seven days, explaining why penalties under Section 4 of the Act should not be imposed. The notice warns that failure to respond within the stipulated time will result in an ex-parte decision.
The notice has been issued by Nabila Irfan, special secretary (Operations), Specialized Healthcare & Medical Education Department, who is the competent authority in the case.
