The Islamabad Healthcare Regulatory Authority (IHRA) has taken severe action following the death of a patient during routine ankle surgery at a private health facility in the city. As part of the ongoing inquiry, the IHRA has locked one of the operating rooms and asked the Zimri Hospital G-8 administration and surgeon Dr. Fareedullah Zimri to explain their positions.
On July 12, 2023, 54-year-old Muhammad Sajid was brought to the orthopedic health center for ankle surgery due to a fracture. Sajid died as a result of a heart attack during the procedure, despite efforts by the medical team to revive him.
Read more : Sindh Gets New Mother and Child Healthcare Facility Funded by Japan
Sajid’s son filed a complaint with the healthcare authority, requesting that a comprehensive inquiry be conducted to determine the true causes of his father’s untimely death. According to the complainant, the hospital management neglected to undertake a thorough assessment of the patient’s readiness for operation.
Furthermore, the family was not notified when the patient slumped during the procedure, and efforts to fetch another anesthetist from PIMS Islamabad were futile because the patient died before they arrived.
The private hospital in question is IHRA-registered, and it was determined that, although having an Intensive Care Unit (ICU), the facility had not been used to treat any patients.
This tragic episode emphasizes the crucial importance of a complete medical evaluation before to surgical treatments, as well as appropriate communication with patients and their families during medical emergencies. As the IHRA conducts its inquiry, the healthcare community and the general public await the results, hoping that lessons will be learnt to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
