A newborn baby is fighting for his life after being given a dangerous overdose of paracetamol during a routine procedure at the Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow. The eight-week-old, Zohan Ul Hassan, was mistakenly administered ten times the recommended dose, leaving his parents devastated and questioning their trust in the hospital.
Routine Surgery Turns Into Nightmare
Zohan Ul Hassan, born seven weeks prematurely on January 24, was initially in good health despite his early arrival. His parents, Ahad and Hira Ul Hassan, were relieved when doctors at Crosshouse Hospital in Kilmarnock identified a hernia on the left side of his abdomen, a common issue in premature babies.
Transferred to the Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow, Zohan underwent his first hernia surgery on March 9 and was discharged on March 11. But relief was short-lived. His parents noticed his stomach swelling again, prompting another medical evaluation.
By March 18, doctors determined he needed another surgery—this time for a hernia on the right side. The procedure was expected to be straightforward, given his earlier successful surgery. However, what happened next would change everything.
A Fatal Error in Medication
Ahad Ul Hassan, who was at work during the second surgery, received a chilling phone call from the anesthesiologist: there had been a “big mistake.” Instead of the prescribed 20mg of paracetamol, Zohan had received a massive 200mg dose.
His wife, who was at the hospital, noticed something was wrong immediately. Zohan, usually active after procedures, was struggling to cry. His heartbeat was dangerously high, and his tiny body appeared to be in distress.
Doctors acted quickly, administering acetylcysteine, an antidote for paracetamol poisoning. But the damage was done. Medical staff inserted multiple cannulas into his tiny body, drawing blood samples to assess the overdose’s impact. The hospital initially placed Zohan in a regular ward, much to his parents’ dismay, given the seriousness of the situation.
Signs of Severe Damage Emerge
It wasn’t long before Zohan’s parents noticed troubling symptoms. He began shivering, making unusual jerking movements with his hands—signs of potential neurological damage. When they alerted medical staff, their concerns were brushed aside until Ahad showed them video evidence of the seizures. Only then was Zohan transferred to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), where he was placed on a ventilator.
Subsequent MRI scans revealed swelling on the baby’s brain. Doctors remain uncertain about the full extent of the damage, but early indications suggest potential vision problems and irreversible brain damage.
“There will be other damage as well, but they can’t tell right now,” Ahad said. “There is no treatment.”
Parents’ Trust in NHS Shattered
The Ul Hassan family, originally from Ayr, are now staying in accommodation near the hospital, unable to leave their son’s side. Their trust in the hospital has been deeply shaken.
“We have lost trust in the NHS,” Ahad said. “Our life has just turned upside down, and we don’t know what to do.”
The couple insists on being present for every aspect of Zohan’s care, personally checking every medication and watching every medical professional who treats their son.
- “We don’t trust the staff anymore.”
- “We want to see the faces of everyone who is touching our baby.”
- “We want to check each medication they are giving him.”
Investigation Launched
Dr. Claire Harrow, Deputy Medical Director for Acute Services at NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, issued an apology: “We would like to sincerely apologise to the family of baby Zohan Ul Hassan. We are continuing to deliver the best possible care for Zohan and we continue to offer support to his family at this distressing time.”
A formal investigation into the incident has been launched, with the hospital pledging to keep the family informed throughout the process. However, for Ahad and Hira, no apology or investigation can undo the harm already inflicted on their child.
As they wait anxiously by his bedside, they hold onto a single hope—that Zohan will survive this horrific mistake.
