LAHORE: The Punjab government on Saturday suspended the medical superintendent and the head of the gynaecology department at Lady Willingdon Hospital after a video of doctors performing two C-sections in the same operation theatre went viral.
The video showed a curtain placed between two patients while the surgeries were underway. The person recording could be heard saying a “competition was going on” between the doctors.
On Friday, the health department had already stopped the training of four postgraduate lady doctors involved in the case. After a quick inquiry, officials called it a serious breach of medical ethics.
In a statement released on Saturday, the government said both the medical superintendent and the head of gynaecology were suspended for serious negligence in their duties.
Five postgraduate residents and two charge nurses were also suspended and told to report to headquarters immediately. One woman medical officer was sent back to the Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department.
Punjab Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique said no violation of hospital rules and standard procedures will be tolerated.
Secretary Azmat Mahmood described the incident as an insult to the dignity of the patient and a clear breach of medical ethics.
Separate suspension orders were issued for the medical superintendent and gynaecology head on grounds of “inefficiency and misconduct”. The two charge nurses and the hospital cook were also suspended.
The woman medical officer was repatriated because of her conduct shown in the viral video.
