Punjab Health Department Suspends Nurses Over Mayo Hospital Drug Reaction Deaths
Lahore: The Punjab Health Department has released an inquiry report regarding the recent deaths at Mayo Hospital, allegedly caused by adverse reactions to Ceftriaxone injections. As a result, three nurses—Saima Seher, Nazia Hassan, and Sunaina Khalid—have been suspended for negligence.
The suspended nurses have been served show-cause notices and directed to submit their written responses within seven days. According to the inquiry report, improper handling of powdered injections, including reconstitution and dilution errors, led to severe drug reactions in 16 patients at the Chest Surgical Ward on March 9, 2025.
Following the findings, the Punjab government has imposed a province-wide ban on the use of Ceftriaxone injections in all hospitals. Punjab’s Secretary of Health, Azmat Mahmood, confirmed the deaths and stated that an investigation committee has been formed to probe the matter further.
Additionally, the Medical Superintendent of Jinnah Hospital revealed that their hospital had also received a stock of Ceftriaxone from the Punjab Health Department. However, after the adverse incidents at Mayo Hospital, the stock was returned as a precautionary measure.
According to sources, the injection was not directly procured by Mayo Hospital but was supplied by the Director General (DG) Health Punjab. The batch was set to expire in May 2026, raising further concerns about quality control and administration procedures.
The inquiry report has brought to light critical lapses in drug administration and hospital management, prompting authorities to take immediate action to prevent such incidents in the future.
Punjab Health Department Suspends Nurses Over Mayo Hospital Drug Reaction Deaths
Lahore: The Punjab Health Department has released an inquiry report regarding the recent deaths at Mayo Hospital, allegedly caused by adverse reactions to Ceftriaxone injections. As a result, three nurses—Saima Seher, Nazia Hassan, and Sunaina Khalid—have been suspended for negligence.
The suspended nurses have been served show-cause notices and directed to submit their written responses within seven days. According to the inquiry report, improper handling of powdered injections, including reconstitution and dilution errors, led to severe drug reactions in 16 patients at the Chest Surgical Ward on March 9, 2025.
Following the findings, the Punjab government has imposed a province-wide ban on the use of Ceftriaxone injections in all hospitals. Punjab’s Secretary of Health, Azmat Mahmood, confirmed the deaths and stated that an investigation committee has been formed to probe the matter further.
Additionally, the Medical Superintendent of Jinnah Hospital revealed that their hospital had also received a stock of Ceftriaxone from the Punjab Health Department. However, after the adverse incidents at Mayo Hospital, the stock was returned as a precautionary measure.
According to sources, the injection was not directly procured by Mayo Hospital but was supplied by the Director General (DG) Health Punjab. The batch was set to expire in May 2026, raising further concerns about quality control and administration procedures.
The inquiry report has brought to light critical lapses in drug administration and hospital management, prompting authorities to take immediate action to prevent such incidents in the future.