Karachi: The Sindh Healthcare Commission has re-sealed Shah Medical Center in North Nazimabad after the hospital broke official seals, admitted critical patients and continued operating despite orders to shut down its indoor services.
Officials said the facility had been found guilty of gross negligence in the death of a newborn baby girl and was running hospital services without meeting any approved standards.
SHCC received the complaint from the infant’s parents, prompting an inquiry by an independent expert panel. After hearing both sides, the panel concluded that the hospital was responsible for serious lapses in care and directed it to stop all inpatient services.
The hospital ignored the orders and continued operating. Two days ago its owner and staff harassed SHCC officials and police personnel, obstructed official proceedings and attempted to stop the enforcement action.
At that time, SHCC partially sealed the facility and instructed the administration to transfer all admitted patients within twenty four hours. The hospital was also barred from taking any new indoor admissions.
Despite this, the management illegally reopened the facility by breaking the seals and admitting critical patients in the NICU and ICU without any qualified consultant on duty. Officials said this act placed vulnerable patients at serious risk and violated every condition set by the commission.
SHCC teams, supported by the district administration and police, returned to the site and completed the sealing process after strong resistance from the staff. All admitted patients were assisted and safely shifted to other hospitals.
The Sindh Healthcare Commission said patient safety remains its top priority and all healthcare providers must follow prescribed standards and rules. It called on the local administration and law enforcement agencies to ensure the seal remains intact so that the official writ is protected and the public is not misled under the guise of treatment.
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