By Farzana Chaudhry
Lahore, Pakistan

LAHORE: The Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) Lahore has demanded a thorough, transparent and impartial investigation into the deaths of 15 children at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), urging the government to determine those responsible and ensure accountability at every level.

Addressing a press conference at PM House, PMA Lahore office-bearers and senior leaders expressed deep grief over the deaths of the children and called for immediate action to prevent such tragedies from recurring.

The press conference was attended by PMA Lahore President Professor Dr. Shahid Malik, senior PMA leader Professor Dr. Ashraf Nizami, Central President PMA Dr. Izhar Ahmed Chaudhry, PMA Punjab President Dr. Kamran Saeed, PMA Lahore General Secretary Dr. Wajid Ali, Finance Secretary Dr. Iram Shahzadi, PMA Punjab General Secretary Dr. Kamran Ahmed, PMA Punjab Lahore Division Vice President Dr. Nader Khan and PMA Vice President Dr. Ahmed Naeem Akhtar, among others.

The participants said that a patient, particularly an innocent child, should never be treated merely as a file, number or statistic, as every child represents the hope, future and lifeline of a family.

They demanded that the government conduct a comprehensive and impartial inquiry into the deaths and identify those responsible. They said that if the investigation establishes administrative negligence or failure, merely taking formal action against lower-level officials would not be sufficient.

“The principle of accountability must apply equally at every level,” the participants said.

The PMA Lahore also demanded that the government issue an unconditional apology to the affected families, acknowledge their grief and loss, take them into confidence and disclose all relevant facts surrounding the incident.

The participants further stated that officials holding senior administrative positions should morally assess their responsibility for serious failures occurring under their jurisdiction.

They said that if a Health Minister or relevant administrative head believes that he or she bears moral responsibility for a major administrative failure, resignation from office should also be considered as part of democratic and ethical accountability.

PMA Lahore therefore called upon the concerned Health Minister and PIMS administration to clarify their moral and administrative responsibility and explain to the nation what measures had been taken to prevent such incidents and why those measures failed.

The association emphasized that the Pakistan Medical Association is committed not only to protecting the rights of doctors but also to safeguarding patients’ rights and ensuring safe treatment and improved healthcare facilities.

“We are not appealing to the government; we are demanding responsible action,” the participants said.

They stressed that the value of human life is greater than any position, institution or administrative convenience.

PMA Lahore expressed solidarity with the bereaved families and reiterated its resolve to continue raising its voice for patients’ rights, safe medical treatment and better healthcare facilities, saying that its voice would not be silenced.