Inquiry report points to lapses in JPMC washroom birth case

KARACHI: A three-member inquiry committee has submitted its findings to the executive director of Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC) over an incident in which a woman reportedly delivered a baby in a hospital washroom, with the report identifying shortcomings in emergency care and ward administration.

According to hospital sources, the woman reached the gynaecology ward at around 9pm but was not given prompt medical attention. No ultrasound examination was carried out and that the patient was instead told to walk.

The inquiry also found that neither the consultant nor the Resident Medical Officer (RMO) was present on duty at the time, raising questions about staff presence in a critical care setting. It further noted that male attendants accompanying patients were inside the gynaecology ward premises, which the committee described as a failure of access control and ward discipline.

Among its recommendations, the committee proposed a disciplinary review of the medical officer concerned. It also suggested that postgraduate doctors on duty be given an additional three months of training aimed at improving clinical response and patient handling.