The Punjab government has suspended three doctors and dismissed another for negligence in duty and deficiency in service that caused the deaths of three patients in Jalandhar Civil Hospital, recently.
Announcing the decision during a press conference, State Health Minister, Dr Balbir Singh, said that Hospital Superintendent, Senior Medical Officer (SMO) and the doctor on duty have been suspended, whereas the House Surgeon has been dismissed from service.
Feeling sorry that the lives of critically ill patients could not be saved, the Minister said the action has been taken on the enquiry report submitted by the technical committee constituted to look into the incident. He said a detailed inquiry would be conducted.
“All three doctors have been placed under suspension. Detailed inquiry is being conducted and they are likely to be dismissed from the service and lose all benefits of the service,” said the minister, while stating that exemplary punishment will be given for this “unpardonable” administrative failure.
The minister said the preliminary investigation has revealed that the incident occurred due to administrative failure, despite the availability of adequate infrastructure, manpower and multiple oxygen supply sources at the facility