LAHORE, Sept 5: The Punjab Healthcare Commission has recommended criminal proceedings and closure of two private healthcare facilities in Multan besides imposition of fine after allegations of death of a patient and life-long disability of another due to serious negligence proved in the investigations.

The PHC has also forwarded cases to the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council and the Punjab Health Department for action against four doctors for negligence.

It asked the health department to carry out a comprehensive survey in Multan for action against private health facilities playing havoc with the lives of patients.

Quoting investigation conducted by PHC, a spokesman for the commission said owner of Al-Mudassir Surgical Centre and Lady Health Visitor Nahida Sadiq had been treating patients at her private health facility with the assistance of untrained anaesthetist Tanveer Ahmed and equally unqualified employee Allahdad.

He said a gynae patient Amna Bibi was brought to Al-Mudassir by her husband Sajjad of Nawabpura for a C-section surgery which was performed by Tanvir Ahmed, a person with no surgical training.

He said after operation the patient suffered excessive blood loss due to which her kidneys failed. She was rushed to Nishtar Hospital, Multan, where she was put on lifetime dialysis.

In order to conceal the facts and to protect her establishment, Nahida obtained a false certificate from a doctor later identified as Dr Ilyas Chaudhry. The purpose was to show that Amna Bibi’s surgery was performed by a qualified doctor (Dr Ilyas). This claim also proved false in the inquiry conducted by the commission.

The spokesman said the PHC had directed the Multan DPO to initiate criminal proceedings against Nahida Sadiq and other employees including Tanvir Ahmed and Allahdad for malpractice and flagrant disregard of patient safety.

Additionally, a fine of Rs500,000 has also been imposed on Al-Mudassar Surgical Centre besides awarding a major penalty of closing it down permanently.

He said the case of Dr Ilyas Chaudhry was referred to the PMDC for appropriate action against him.

In another case, the PHC has directed the Multan DPO to initiate criminal proceedings against the owner of Zam Zam Hospital, New Multan, Dr Ishfaq Gujjar, for egregious disregard of safety of a female patient which resulted in her death.

The spokesman said Ambreen Naqvi, 26, a resident of New Multan, was brought to the hospital for removal of stones in her gall bladder.

He said the hospital was not adequately equipped to handle surgeries as it had no defibrillator or ventilator and was not adequately stocked with antidotes to deal with allergic reactions to medicines.

After the injection, the patient had a cardiac arrest and expired. He said a fine of Rs100,000 was imposed on the facility which had temporarily been closed down until compliance with standards and subsequent clearance for carrying out surgical procedures by PHC.