Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz reached Sahiwal Teaching Hospital to condole with the families after the tragic demise of 13 children in the hospital, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

Talking to the victim families, CM Maryam said, “I share the grief of the children's parents, I have come to express my heartfelt condolences and sympathies with the bereaved families.”

Chief Minister on the occasion extended her sincere apologies over this act of criminal negligence by the authorities concerned. She added, “We can't bring back the small flowers, but  we are doing our best not to let such an incident happen again.”

Chief Minister expressed anger over MS, AMS and the admin officer of the hospital and directed immediate departmental action against them. She also directed the concerned officers that award exemplary punishments to the perpetrators after conducting a thorough inquiry into the incident.

She separately inquired about details of the tragedy from the parents.

On the occasion Chief Minister was briefed, “a girl's mother got admitted to PIC due to heart attack after hearing about the tragedy.” Chief Minister got worried after hearing children’s parents. A girl, Aafia's father Ali said, “after the tragedy, the police baton charged, and the guard pushed his old mother.”

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif got very angry over the behavior of hospital guards towards the patients and their attendants. She directed DPO Sahiwal to conduct an inquiry into complaints of taking money by the security guards from patients’ attendants. She also directed complete security audit of all hospitals in the province.

Chief Minister also visited OPD, Child Emergency and other wards, and interacted with the patients and their relatives present there. Chief Secretary Zahid Akhtar Zaman, Additional IG Zulfikar Hameed, Commissioner Sahiwal Division Shoaib Iqbal Syed, RPO Mahboob Rasheed, Deputy Commissioner Saima Ali, DPO Faisal Shehzad and other officers were also present.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif met Members of Provincial Assembly from different districts of the province and sought first-hand knowledge of public issues and development work which was required in their respective constituencies.

Chief Minister briefed the visiting MPAs,” Upgradation of primary health centers across Punjab is in final stages of completion.” She said,”I am monitoring the health affairs day in and day out.” She added,”We are expanding the scope of projects like Field Hospital and Clinic on Wheels.”

The visiting public representatives appreciated the Field Hospital and Clinic on Wheels projects, and paid tribute to Madam Chief Minister for different public welfare projects in the first 100 days of her Government.

Saud Majeed, MPAs Malik Khalid Mahmood and Adnan Afzal Chattha were among those who met the CM. Special Assistant Zeeshan Malik was also present.

Earlier, “World Blood Donation Day is a day to thank those who donate their precious blood to save lives of others,” said Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif in her message on World Blood Donation Day. She added,”On this day, I pay tribute to all those who have saved lives by donating blood.”

Chief Minister said, “donating blood is a good practice. Every drop of donated blood is a ray of hope for a patient who is fighting for his life.” She asked youth of the province to set an example of donating blood in Punjab's youth blood donation campaign.