MARDAN: A newborn reportedly died after its mother gave birth in the waiting room of Mardan Medical Complex (MMC) because the hospital staff refused to admit her. Sabirul Rehman, a resident of Ibrahim Khan Kaly area near Mardan, brought his pregnant wife to the hospital on Saturday night. After initial medical examination in the emergency ward, she was referred to the gynaecology ward but the lady doctor at the ward refused to admit the pregnant woman, saying there was still time in her delivery. The family returned after being told this, but on their way to home the woman started experiencing severe pain and was rushed back to the hospital. According to the family members, the doctors paid no heed to their requests. Subsequently, she was moved to the waiting area outside the gynaecology ward where she delivered a baby girl. The baby, however, could not survive due to the extreme weather. The affected family then staged a protest demonstration and refused to move the body of the newborn child till action was taken against the staffers. Meanwhile, Assistant Commissioner Mardan Babar Tanoli visited the hospital and met the bereaved family. The hospital administration took notice of the incident and suspended several staffers. Mardan Medical Complex Director Dr Mukhtar said that five lady doctors and three nurses had been suspended following the incident. A committee has been constituted to investigate the incident. The committee will submit its report within three days. Published in Daily Times, January 1st 2018.