In a recent incident that shocked the nation, a security guard at a leading public hospital in Lahore, impersonated as a surgeon and put the life of an elderly patient at risk by operating on her.

The incident has exposed the flaws in our healthcare system and shown how unsafe it can be for the common man.

Police investigations reveal that on the afternoon of May 17, Shamim Bibi, a poor woman pushing 80, was brought to Mayo Hospital’s Emergency Ward for treatment of a wound in her back. She was complaining of severe pain, so the duty doctors prescribed a surgical operation. At the Surgical Ward, Shamim Bibi, who was accompanied by her son, was left unattended for some time. It was here that the accused, Waheed Butt, said to be a security guard at the hospital, caught sight of them. He told them he was a surgeon, and offered assistance for a couple of thousand rupees.

According to hospital sources, the accused took them to the operation theatre (OT) where he performed ‘surgery’ on Shamim Bibi in connivance with an OT technician, named Usman. Later, he sent them home with the promise of follow-up visits for which he demanded Rs 500 per visit.

However, the patient’s condition worsened on reaching home. Waheed Butt is said to have visit her twice. After her condition did not improve, Shamim Bibi was again taken to the Emergency Ward of Mayo which is when the truth came out. The hospital administration initiated an inquiry into the matter and the patient learnt that Butt wasn’t a doctor but a security guard at the hospital. He was immediately handed over to the police that lodged an FIR against him.

Sadly, this may not be the first incident of its kind to have happened at a public hospital in the city. Such illegal practices are believed to have been going on for quite some time. It is believed that the doctors sometimes allow the paramedics and/or hospital staff to perform minor surgeries such as draining the puss after cutting a boil. They are protected by the security persons at the facilities. In this way, they all end up making a quick buck.

Talking to TNS, the Superintendent of Police, City Investigation, Zohaib Ranjha says that after his arrest, the accused (Waheed Butt) was sent to Camp Jail, Lahore, on judicial remand. Raids are being conducted to apprehend his accomplice (Usman) who remains at large.

SP Zohaib Ranjha says that after his arrest the suspect was sent to Camp Jail, Lahore, on judicial remand. Raids are being conducted to apprehend his accomplice who remains at large.

“It’s a very serious matter,” the SP says. “It concerns public health. The police shall leave no stone unturned to take the culprits to task. We are also investigating whether this is the first incident of the kind or the two have committed such crimes previously.”

The SP says that the “senior management of Mayo Hospital may be trying to conceal the facts. It’s a clear case of a crime that is not possible without connivance of more people at the hospital.”

Syed Hammad Raza, a spokesperson for the government, says that the Minister for Health, Dr Yasmin Rashid, ordered an inquiry to determine the facts of the case the moment the matter was brought to her notice. Specialised Healthcare and Medical Education Secretary Nabeel Awan was ordered to probe the case.

“Strict action shall be taken against those involved in this criminal act,” Raza says.

Dr Arif Iftikhar, the AMS of Outdoor at Ganga Ram Hospital, says that the Punjab Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) is responsible for such cases. “Under the authority’s current set of rules, public hospitals are required to outsource security and janitorial staff. This is mainly why important values at the hospitals are compromised.

“Private companies generally hire their staff on very low wages. For instance, a security guard is paid only around Rs 7,000 a month. How can you expect honesty and diligence from a worker who is paid this low a salary?”

Dr Iftikhar says that the doctors’ community should not be blamed for such incidents. “The security or janitorial staff don’t work under the supervision of doctors.”

He suggests strict monitoring in order to avert future instances of the kind.

The writer is a senior journalist and can be reached at ahsanzia155@gmail.com