KARACHI, Jan 11: Fake reports on the suitability for human consumption, or otherwise, of six betel nut samples were issued by laboratory of the Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH) , following tampering of its computer system by some staff, to the Sindh High Court in September 2003.

The hospital personnel found that something was amiss two days after the issuance of the "non-genuine" reports, that is on Sept 17. Soon afterwards, corrective steps were taken by the hospital.

The hospital management started looking into the case immediately after it realized that some fake reports had been issued. Later on, the High Court directed the AKUH to conduct a full inquiry.

The AKUH's administration told Dawn on Sunday that the said betel nut samples had been received in their laboratory on Sept 6. The samples had been taken from a large consignment of betel nuts, which had been withheld by the Customs officials.

"Our staff found that the fake reports wrongly indicated that the samples were fit for human consumption," said the AKUH management. "Immediate steps were taken and information from the computer archives were retrieved."

The hospital administration said the "genuine and official" reports were sent to the High Court of Sindh on Sept 17. The court was also told that the reports issued on Sept 15 were not genuine and had not been signed by authorized staff.

According to the AKUH, vigilant checking and prompt action by its staff prevented the use of non-genuine reports and the High Court relied upon the genuine reports, dated Sept 17.

Nadeem Mustafa Khan, the AKUH's Director-General, said steps had been taken so that a similar case does not occur in future. He added that the people behind the fraud had been dealt with. He did not elaborate.

"In the 18-year-history of our hospital something like this has not happened before," said Mr Khan. "This is the first incident of computer systems being tampered with and misused.

He said, "The incident has led to the implementation of a number of preventive actions and development of safeguards. A report of the inquiry has also been submitted to the High Court," he added.

Meanwhile, the consignment of betel nut from which the six samples were taken and sent to the AKUH has remained at the centre of controversies right from the moment it was held by the Customs officials. A petition has been filed by the consignee in the Sindh High Court to seek clearance of the consignment.