The Punjab Specialised Healthcare and Medical Education Department has issued show-cause notices to three nurses from the Chest Ward of Mayo Hospital following a severe reaction to administered injections.
The nurses, identified as Nazia Hassan, Sunaina Khalid, and Hafiza Saima Sahar, have been accused of negligence in preparing the injection solution. They have been directed to submit a written response within seven days.
According to the notice, their alleged carelessness led to adverse reactions in 16 patients. The situation has intensified after reports emerged of fatalities linked to the incorrectly administered injections.
Sources indicate that an internal investigation report was completed last night but was allegedly suppressed. Meanwhile, the Young Nursing Association has announced protests, arguing that nurses are being unfairly blamed since all medications are administered under pharmacists’ instructions.
Hospital officials confirmed that two patients—a man and a woman—died due to the suspected injection reaction. In total, 18 patients experienced severe complications, including high fever, chills, and breathing difficulties.
The hospital’s medical superintendent reported that the reaction occurred in the Chest Surgery Ward, highlighting concerns over medication handling procedures. Initial investigations suggest that hospital staff may have mixed the powdered injection with an incorrect solution, potentially using Ringer’s lactate and calcium gluconate instead of sterile water.
Punjab Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique assured that the investigation report would be made public soon. He pledged strict action against those responsible and announced an audit of all government hospitals to prevent similar incidents.
