Punjab Chief Minister furious over the deaths of children due to diphtheria

Lahore: Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif presided over a high level meeting, here today, in which initial inquiry report into death of some of children due to diphtheria was presented. He directed Chairman Chief Minister Inspection Team to complete inquiry as early as possible and to identify the elements responsible for negligence.

The Chief Minister said that he was grieved over the death of some children due to diphtheria and the persons guilty of negligence cannot be spared. He expressed extreme indignation over the officers of concerned institutions for not purchasing the medicines for diphtheria in time and asked them why arrangements for the import of medicines were not made before the stock was finished.

He said that delay in bringing the medicines for treatment of diphtheria is criminal negligence and no excuse will be acceptable. Shehbaz Sharif said that concerned institutions have not performed their responsibilities properly and the persons found guilty in inquiry report will not escape punishment.

Advisor Health Kh. Salman Rafique, Additional Chief Secretary, Secretary Health, Vice Chancellor King Edward Medical University, Director General Health and authorities of Children Hospital, Allied Hospital as well as concerned officials were present in the meeting.