KARACHI: A district court in Karachi has issued notices to all relevant parties in a high-profile medical negligence case after the family of an 88-year-old patient challenged the Sindh Healthcare Commission’s (SHC) decision, alleging a cover-up of doctor negligence in a private hospital in Shahr-e-Quaid.
Muhammad Arif Hussain, son of the late Muhammad Khawaja Hussain, filed a petition before the District and Sessions Judge (South), arguing that the SHC’s ruling failed to address the gravity of the alleged medical negligence that led to his father’s death.
The petitioner accused the SHC of ignoring clinical expert opinions and demanded a thorough re-examination of the case.
“The decision of the Sindh Healthcare Commission shows that the negligence of the doctors has been covered up,” stated the petitioner’s legal team, comprising advocates Hisham Bin Tahir, Irtza Habib, and Zubair Ahmed.
Allegations of Gross Negligence
According to the petition, Muhammad Khawaja Hussain was admitted to a private hospital on Stadium Road, Karachi, for surgery under the supervision of Dr. Aziz Abdullah, head of the urology department.
However, the surgery was postponed due to an infection, with doctors stating that medication would be administered based on blood test results.
The family alleges that Dr. Samar Abbas Jafri, a senior physician from the medicine department, failed to conduct a proper medical examination.
Instead, he reportedly delegated the patient’s care to junior doctors, who misdiagnosed the condition, leading to a deterioration in the patient’s health.
“When questioned, a junior doctor admitted that Dr. Samar Abbas was contacted multiple times but remained unavailable and never returned calls,” the petitioner stated in his submission to the SHC.
SHC Imposes Fine, Family Demands Accountability
The Sindh Healthcare Commission imposed a Rs 50,000 fine on Dr. Samar Abbas for negligence—a penalty the petitioner described as grossly inadequate. The family further accused Dr. Aziz Abdullah of abandoning his high-risk elderly patient to the care of inexperienced juniors.
Among the most serious allegations:
Failure to maintain medical records, which are essential for diagnosis and treatment.
No physical examination was conducted, despite repeated complaints about swelling in the patient’s feet.
Ignoring clinical expert opinions, with the SHC allegedly sidelining professional assessments in its ruling.
Court Issues Notices, Adjourns Hearing
The District and Sessions Judge (South) has issued notices to the Sindh Healthcare Commission, its clinical experts, and all involved parties, summoning them to present their records. The court has adjourned the hearing to a later date, signaling a potential reopening of the investigation.
Broader Concerns Over Healthcare Accountability
This case raises critical questions about the effectiveness of regulatory bodies like the SHC in ensuring accountability in Pakistan’s private healthcare sector. The petitioner’s legal team emphasized that the commission, as a regulatory authority, must prioritize patient safety and transparency over institutional protections.
“If regulatory bodies fail to act decisively against proven negligence, public trust in the healthcare system will erode,” the petitioner’s counsel argued.
The family remains determined to pursue justice, vowing to hold all responsible parties accountable for what they describe as a preventable tragedy.
