An “injection reaction” claimed another life at Mayo Hospital in Lahore on Monday as the death toll because of the adverse reactions to an injection rises to two.

Among them, 36-year-old Dawlat Khan passed away this morning after being treated in the ICU since Sunday, where his condition had deteriorated.

The injection is intended for the treatment of bacterial lung infections, according to officials. It was administered to at least 16 patients, two of whom have passed away.

Some patients complained of experiencing shivering, high fever, and difficulty breathing within 15 to 20 minutes after the inoculation.

It was revealed the other day that 18 patients at Mayo Hospital, being treated for lung infections, experienced severe reactions to the injection, resulting in the death of one woman and affecting several others, with two patients reported to be in critical condition.

Punjab CM Maryam seeks report

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif expressed her sorrow and condolences over the patient fatalities and has sought a report on the incident from the health secretary.

Maryam Nawaz extended heartfelt sympathies to the grieving families and ordered the best possible treatment for other patients currently receiving care at the hospital.

She expressed “deep concern” regarding the incident related to the injection reaction and stated that “strict action” should be taken against those responsible for any negligence.

Injection reaction ‘occurred in chest surgery ward’

According to the hospital’s medical superintendent, the injection reaction occurred in the chest surgery ward, where a 31-year-old female patient also succumbed to her condition after receiving the inoculation.

In response to the incident, the MS has formed a committee to investigate the matter, and the use of injections manufactured by the pharmaceutical industry has been “immediately suspended.”

Mayo Hospital CEO Haroon Hamid said that the administration has “immediately suspended” the use of the injection linked to adverse reactions. A committee has been formed to investigate the incident while the “best possible treatment is ongoing” for the affected patients.

Mayo Hospital did not purchase injections: MS

The Mayo Hospital did not purchase the alleged substandard injections, Medical Superintendent Dr Ahtishamul Haq said in a statement.

He clarified that the procurement was made by the Office of the Director General of Health. The Health Office DG supplied the jabs to various hospitals, including four others besides Mayo Hospital, after the purchase, Haq added.

The MS stated that cases of adverse reactions were reported “after administering the third dose of the injection” at the infirmary. “The affected batch has been withdrawn from the hospital and sent to a drug testing laboratory for analysis.”

Punjab CM Maryam’s surprise visit

It merits mentioning here that Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz made an unannounced visit to Mayo Hospital two days ago, where patients and their attendants voiced numerous complaints about “inadequate facilities and poor management.”

In her visit, Punjab CM Maryam expressed “strong dissatisfaction” and reprimanded the hospital administration.

She ordered the “immediate removal” of the MS, stating that the issues faced by the public in the hospital were “absolutely unacceptable.”

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New team takes charge

Maryam appointed new officials to replace the dismissed CEO and medical superintendent.

Professor Haroon Hamid was appointed as the new CEO of the hospital, taking over from Professor Ahsan Nauman. He has been temporarily appointed for a period of three months.

Moreover, Dr Ihtishamul Haq, a Grade 20 principal medical officer, has been transferred from Punjab Institute of Cardiology to take over as medical superintendent of Mayo Hospital. He replaced Dr Faisal Masood.

Past incidents

It is the second time in two years that several patients in Punjab have suffered because of an injection. Last year, many patients, including women, lost their eyesight after they were administered Avastin injections to address retinal damage in Burewala.

Rainwater had contaminated the injection, which allegedly caused loss of vision in Punjab patients, the-then caretaker Punjab Health Minister Javed Akram had said. According to him, the drug was administered illegally and without informed consent.

In July, the Punjab government lifted the ban on Avastin’s use after more than nine months and allowed its use for eye patients with new standard operating procedures