GUJAR KHAN: The health authorities of Punjab have initiated a regular inquiry under the Punjab Employees Efficiency, Discipline, and Accountability (PEEDA) Act, 2006, following the tragic death of an unborn child at THQ Hospital. The incident occurred after the expectant mother was admitted for two days without the availability of on-call medical staff, leading to a delay in urgent treatment. According to the details, Ayesha Ali, wife of Ali Raza, was admitted to the hospital’s gynaecology ward on September 16. Despite being under observation for the birth, critical medical personnel, including a gynaecologist and an anaesthetist, were unavailable at a crucial moment on the morning of September 18. Consequently, the unborn baby’s heartbeat was lost. The mother, Ayesha was advised to shift to a hospital in Rawalpindi at the eleventh hour, her husband Ali Raza told the reporters. The Public Aid forum, a civil society forum has also announced a peaceful march to record its protest against the negligence of the hospital administration. Chief Executive Officer of the District Health Authority (DHA) Rawalpindi, Dr Asif Arbab Niazi ordered an inquiry into the conduct of three medical officers involved namely Dr Jawaid Iqbal (anaesthetist), Dr Hira Tanveer (gynaecologist), and Dr Sehar Iftikhar (WMO), after the issue was raised on social media on Wednesday. According to sources, some medical staff, including those from the gynaecology department, protested by striking for two hours on September 19, allegedly closing the labour room from 8am to 10am. Patients waiting for care expressed their frustration, leading to intervention by the medical superintendent to resolve the situation. While talking toDawn, CEO Dr. Niazi confirmed that the fact-finding investigation had been completed and sent to the Punjab health authorities. He emphasised that the government has taken the matter seriously and that a formal inquiry under the PEEDA Act would be initiated soon. Videos circulating on social media show confrontations between patient relatives and hospital security staff, along with explicit confessionial statements regarding the lack of available consultant doctors at the labour room of the hospital. Local residents have called on the Chief Minister of Punjab and the Secretary of Health to address the declining standards of care at THQ Hospital.