FAISALABAD: Serious allegations of medical negligence have emerged at the Faisalabad Institute of Cardiology after reports claimed surgeons left a surgical instrument inside a patient during open-heart surgery.
According to hospital sources, cardiac surgeon Dr Zaigham Rasool performed surgery on patient Chaudhry Saqlain on April 4 at the Faisalabad Institute of Cardiology. However, the patient allegedly experienced severe chest pain and complications following the procedure.
Reports stated that Saqlain returned to the hospital nearly three weeks later after his condition worsened. Doctors then conducted an X-ray examination on April 23, which allegedly revealed a pair of surgical scissors inside the patient’s chest.
Second Surgery Conducted After Discovery
Following the discovery, doctors reportedly carried out another surgery the same day to remove the instrument from the patient’s body. Sources claimed Dr Zaigham Rasool also performed the second operation.
Meanwhile, the incident triggered concern among hospital authorities and prompted the administration to form an inquiry committee. According to reports, the committee held two staff nurses, Aqsa Sardar and Nida Arfa, responsible for the negligence.
Hospital officials also reportedly declared both nurses accountable for the incident. Sources further claimed that nurse Aqsa Sardar assisted the surgeon during the initial surgery conducted earlier this month.
Inquiry Raises Questions Over Hospital Oversight
In addition, reports alleged that the patient’s medical record was later removed from the hospital’s online system, raising further concerns regarding transparency and accountability.
The incident has intensified debate over patient safety standards and operational oversight in public hospitals across Punjab. Healthcare observers stressed the importance of stricter monitoring mechanisms and improved surgical protocols to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Authorities have yet to issue a detailed public statement regarding the allegations or possible disciplinary action against those involved.
