The health condition of a 14-year-old housemaid, Rizwana, has taken a turn for the worse at Lahore General Hospital (LGH) following alleged “brutal torture” by a civil judge’s wife in Islamabad.
Reports from Professor Sardar Alfareed, a doctor at LGH, reveal that Rizwana’s oxygen levels suddenly worsened, prompting immediate efforts to improve her saturation levels. Physiotherapy was administered to the young girl today, while a team of physiatrists and cardiologists is scheduled to conduct further assessments later in the day.
The disturbing incident came to light when Rizwana’s parents filed a case against the wife of a civil judge, Asim Hafeez, accusing her of severely torturing the 14-year-old. The alleged abuse was said to have stemmed from a false accusation of stealing gold jewelry. Rizwana had been working as a servant in the judge’s home in Islamabad for six months, enduring the alleged mistreatment without receiving any salary for her services.
LGH Chief Executive, Prof. Al-fareed Zafar, expressed concern for Rizwana’s critical condition, stating that the next 48 hours would be crucial for her recovery. Suspicions were raised that she might have been poisoned during the violent ordeal, leading doctors to conduct blood and sample tests for further investigation.
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Rizwana’s father, a laborer from Sargodha, had her transferred to LGH when her injuries became severe. The medical board overseeing her treatment reported an increased infection in her blood, likely due to the severity of her wounds. Moreover, Rizwana was found to have lung infection, making breathing difficult, and was experiencing psychological distress due to the alleged torture.
Prof. Zafar and Prof. Jodat Saleem, head of the medical board, disclosed that Rizwana was diagnosed with sepsis and was under suspicion for Covid-19 infection. Samples were sent for Covid diagnosis as her saturation levels continued to decline.
The authorities have launched a comprehensive investigation into the distressing incident, as concerns grow about Rizwana’s well-being. The medical board’s uncertainty regarding her chances of recovery highlights the gravity of the situation and calls for urgent action to address the alleged brutality faced by the young housemaid.