TOO LATE: the weight of two words a reflection on empathetic communication

This narrative reflects on the enduring impact of two words: 'too late' when spoken in clinical encounters. Prompted by the case of 21-month-old Sandipan Dhar, who died in Australia, the author draws parallels with a family tragedy earlier in Pakistan. In both cases, parents seeking urgent care not only endured the loss of their child but also remember words that deepened their grief, guilt, and helplessness. These traumatic incidents highlight how language, even when clinically accurate, can leave emotional wounds that persist for generations.