Karachi: Officials of the Sindh Health Care Commission and police came under attack on Wednesday when the administration of Shah Medical Centre in North Nazimabad allegedly called a mob to obstruct the sealing of the facility, which had been declared unsafe after a complaint regarding the death of a one-month-old baby.
SHCC teams, accompanied by the district administration and police, were enforcing an order to shut the hospital after an inquiry confirmed that the newborn had died due to gross medical negligence. The officials were partially sealing the premises when the owner, Bilal Afzal, allegedly summoned a group of men and a lawyer to disrupt the operation.
According to SHCC, Afzal holds a Bachelor’s in Eastern Medicine, which allows him to practice Hikmat only, but he had been treating general and critical patients using allopathic medicines despite lacking the legal qualification.
The mob reportedly assaulted SHCC officials and police officers, locked the main doors, and held the entire team hostage inside the facility. Police reinforcements were rushed to the site, and one person was later arrested.
Officials on site informed the hospital administration that the action was based on a formal complaint filed by the grieving parents on March 26, 2025. They had accused the centre of misdiagnosing and improperly treating their infant daughter, who was brought with respiratory distress and neck stiffness.
Following the complaint, SHCC initiated an inquiry on June 4, 2025. The probe found that the hospital lacked qualified doctors and paramedical staff, especially in its newborn, ICU and IPD units, and recommended the shutdown of these departments. Despite the orders, the facility continued operating illegally without meeting mandatory standards.
SHCC says it also collected recorded evidence of Afzal posing as a qualified doctor on social media. Officials added that Afzal had earlier accused the Commission of bribery but later retracted the allegation during a recorded visit to the SHCC office.
The Commission said the hospital administration was now attempting to cover up its unlawful practices by spreading accusations and inciting violence against government officials. The centre was given 24 hours to shift the remaining ICU patients and close completely, while letters were issued to the district administration and police for permanent closure.
Authorities will also seek action against Afzal for illegal medical practice. SHCC pointed out that certain ambulance drivers from nearby government hospitals have been diverting vulnerable families to such unauthorised facilities in return for commissions, further endangering patients.
After reviewing all evidence and expert recommendations, the SHCC Complaints Management Committee declared Shah Medical Centre unfit to provide any medical services and a continuing threat to public safety. The decision, the Commission said, is legally binding unless challenged in court.
SHCC reminded that all healthcare facilities must fulfil mandatory criteria, including qualified staff and essential equipment, before offering any services to the public. The Commission warned unqualified practitioners and illegal clinics operating in the area to shut down immediately or face criminal proceedings.
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