Punjab Health Dept appoints inquiry officers in Lady Willingdon Hospital operation video, anesthesia scandal

LAHORE, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 30th Mar, 2026) The Punjab Health Department has appointed two senior officers as inquiry officers to hear cases against those responsible for the incidents at Lady Willingdon Hospital involving the video recording of an operation and a security guard administering anesthesia to a patient.

Secretary Local Government Shakeel Ahmed Mian has been appointed as inquiry officer to hear the show-cause notices issued against those responsible for the video recording of an operation at Lady Willingdon Hospital. Secretary Law and Parliamentary Affairs Asif Bilal Lodhi has been appointed as inquiry officer to hear the show-cause notices issued against those responsible for the incident in which a security guard administered anesthesia to a patient at the hospital, says a press release issued on Monday.

Show-cause notices have been issued to Prof. Dr. Uzma Hussain (BS-20), former Head of Department (HOD) Gynaecology; Dr. Farah Inam (BS-19), former Medical Superintendent (MS); Dr. Iqra Hafeez, former WMO; Iqra Zahid, former Charge Nurse (BS-16); Fawzia Rashid, former Charge Nurse (BS-16); and Haseeb-ur-Rauf, former Cook (BS-02), under Section 7(B) read with Section 5(1)(A) of the PEEDA Act, 2006.

Provincial Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique said such conduct is a serious violation of medical ethics, professional standards, and the prescribed code of conduct, undermining patient dignity and reflecting inappropriate behavior by public servants entrusted with sensitive healthcare responsibilities. He said the act indicates serious corruption, incompetence, and administrative failure, amounting to undermining public confidence in the healthcare system.

Khawaja Salman Rafique further said that according to the video, a security guard was allegedly allowed to illegally administer anesthesia to a patient inside the operation theatre. He termed it a serious violation of hospital regulations, medical ethics, and the legal framework, as administering anesthesia is a specialized medical procedure restricted to qualified medical professionals only.

Punjab Health Secretary Azmat Mahmood said that after considering the facts of the case, action would be taken against each responsible person under the Punjab Employees Efficiency, Discipline and Accountability (PEEDA) Act, 2006. He said the incident reflects gross negligence, lack of supervision, administrative failure, and corruption, which put the patient’s life at risk and damaged the reputation of a government medical institution.

The show-cause notice stated that Professor Dr. Uzma Hussain, as head of the Gynaecology Department, failed to exercise effective supervision and administrative control over the affairs of her unit. Due to her negligence, the unprofessional and unethical conduct of subordinate doctors could not be stopped in time, leading to the alleged incident of betting on a C-section procedure.

The notices further stated that Dr. Farah Inam, as MS, was responsible for overall administration, discipline, and implementation of hospital SOPs, but failed to exercise proper supervision and administrative oversight, resulting in staff being involved in inappropriate behavior and betting during a C-section.

Dr. Iqra Hafeez, Dr. Iqra Zahid, and Dr. Fawzia Rasheed were found involved in the incident, with video evidence allegedly showing them betting during the C-section procedure. Their conduct has been termed grave corruption, negligence, and a clear violation of medical ethics. Haseeb-ul-Rauf, employed as a cook, was also found involved in unrelated activities inside the operation theatre despite his duties being outside the OT.

Separate show-cause notices under Section 7(B) read with Section 5(1)(A) of the PEEDA Act, 2006, have also been issued to Dr. Munir Hussain (BS-19), former Senior consultant Anaesthetist; Dr. Farah Inam (BS-19), former Medical Superintendent; Dr. Rutaba Khalid (BS-18), former Senior Registrar Anaesthetist; Dr. Munza Naheed (BS-18), former Senior Registrar Anaesthetist; Dr. Dar-e-Shahwar Iram (BS-18), former Senior Woman Medical Officer/AMS (Admin); and Uzma Hassan (BS-17), former Head Nurse, in connection with the incident in which a security guard administered anesthesia to a patient at Lady Willingdon Hospital.

According to the show-cause notice, Dr. Munir Hussain, as in-charge of the Anaesthesia Department, failed to ensure that only trained staff were deployed in the operation theatre. Due to lack of supervision, an unrelated security guard administered an injection to the patient, and surprisingly, his name was also included in the duty roster approved by Dr. Munir Hussain.

Dr. Farah Inam, as MS, was responsible for administration, discipline, and implementation of hospital SOPs, and the incident of anesthesia being administered by a security guard reflects serious administrative misconduct. Dr. Rutaba Khalid failed to supervise the medical procedures and perform her duties in the operation theatre. She committed serious professional misconduct by directing or allowing an unqualified person to administer anesthesia, thereby putting the patient’s life at risk.

Dr. Munza Naheed, as AMS Admin, failed to supervise operation theatre activities and signed the duty roster that allowed the security guard to administer anesthesia despite knowing that he was not qualified to do so. Dr. Dar-e-Shehwar Iram violated medical rules and regulations in the operation theatre and failed to ensure compliance, while her negligence allowed an unrelated official to perform medical procedures, amounting to professional negligence and compromise of patient safety. Uzma Hassan also failed to supervise nursing staff and maintain control over the operation theatre, which enabled an unqualified person to administer anesthesia.

The show-cause notice stated that concrete evidence exists in the form of video recording; therefore, a formal inquiry is not required.

On the directions of the Chief Minister of Punjab, direct action will be taken under Section 7 of the PEEDA Act. All responsible parties have been directed to submit written replies within seven days so that action may be taken against them under the law.