ISLAMABAD: The Medical Tribunal has set aside findings of negligence and dishonesty against a senior anaesthetist in connection with a child’s death after surgery in 2021, overturning the cancellation of his licence and ordering a fresh inquiry while explicitly clarifying that he has not been exonerated.

The consolidated judgment, authored by tribunal chairman retired justice Safdar Saleem Shahid, dealt with four appeals arising from the death of Hafsa Umer, who suffered a serious medical emergency during an orthopaedic procedure at Hameed Latif Hospital on March 20, 2021, and died three days later.

Tribunal orders fresh probe into post-surgery death in 2021

The tribunal allowed the appeal of senior anaesthetist Dr Muhammad Sheraz Saleem and ordered that his case be reconsidered. It said several questions remained unresolved, including the timing of the medical emergency, interpretation of footage, the accuracy of recorded times and doctors’ responsibilities.

The tribunal also partly allowed an appeal by the child’s father, Umer Farooq, directing the regulator to reconsider his complaints against specific practitioners after providing him an opportunity to respond.

The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council was directed to provide an indexed copy of the relevant proceedings, including expert opinions and statements, within 14 days.

Published in Dawn, October 26th, 2026