A doctor working as an additional attendant at Multan’s Nishtar Hospital has been fired following his misconduct with a patient’s family, which was captured in a video widely shared on social media, officials confirmed on Monday.
The video shows the doctor making inappropriate and obscene gestures towards the relatives of the deceased patient after they organized a protest in the hospital ward, taken on December 18. Hospital authorities first suspended the doctor before firing him.
On Thursday evening, Shamim Bibi, a resident of New Tariqabad, was taken to the emergency room of Nishtar Hospital in critical condition. After an initial examination, doctors declared that she suffered from chronic liver disease, an illness that could progress to liver failure. Doctors advised further tests and the administration of a blood transfusion.
Nishtar Hospital spokesperson Rao Naushad said the patient suffered from serious liver and stomach diseases. He explained that in such cases only supportive treatment can be provided, adding that the patient had benefited from all available medical facilities.
During her transfer from the emergency room to the medical department, the patient died. His relatives then protested, alleging that the blood had not been provided or administered on time and accusing the medical staff on duty of inappropriate behavior and excessive use of cell phones.
Relatives claimed that the patient was not given blood immediately, which they believe led to her death. They added that she had previously been taken to the emergency room but was discharged.
The deceased’s son, Bahram, said his mother had stomach problems, but no one listened to them in the emergency room. He alleged that the staff repeatedly asked them to take her to a private hospital and after much difficulty, she was admitted. He claimed that although the blood had been prepared, it was not administered in time, and they were told it was shift change time and the next shift would take care of it.
Read: Medical negligence suspected in patient’s death
During the protest, a video was released showing Additional House Officer Dr Qasim of Medical Ward No. 11 making obscene gestures towards the patient’s relatives, further increasing tensions.
Hospital sources said the patient was brought to the emergency room in extremely critical condition and was examined by experienced doctors, who gave necessary instructions. However, after his death, the situation worsened following the recording of videos by relatives and the inappropriate behavior of the house guard.
The hospital spokesperson confirmed that Nishtar Medical University Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Mehnaz Khakwani had removed Additional House Officer Dr Qasim and ordered a formal investigation.
A two-member fact-finding committee was formed, headed by Emergency Director Dr Zahid, with Dr Asma Khar, DMS Labor Ward, as the second member. The committee is examining all aspects of the incident. Statements from the dismissed supervisor, security guards, DMS and other doctors on duty were recorded, along with CCTV footage.
The hospital spokesperson said stricter action would be taken against those responsible, in light of the investigation report.
The medical community also expressed concern over the behavior of the head of the establishment, stressing that adequate training of newly qualified doctors before their assignment to the department is essential but often neglected.
Vice-chancellor Prof Mehnaz Khakwani had initially ordered the immediate suspension of the House official and constituted an inquiry committee. South Punjab Special Secretary Health Amanullah also sought a report on the issue from the medical superintendent of Nishtar Hospital.
On Saturday, the Vice Chancellor officially issued a notification dismissing Dr Qasim, stating that from the date of notification, he would no longer serve as an in-house officer at Nishtar Hospital.
Sources said the hospital administration contacted the victim’s family to express regret over the incident and assured them of full cooperation, asking them to report any further administrative complaints so that action can be taken against other staff members if necessary.
The fired House officer submitted a seven-page written response to the investigating committee.
In his statement to the administration, the fired official said that the deceased patient was being treated by two main doctors and that he himself was not responsible for her treatment. He appointed PGR Dr Majid and Dr Saleem as doctors handling the case.
He claimed that after the death of the patient, the relatives started shouting and creating disorder, while the two main doctors disappeared despite the need to console the family. He said he was simultaneously treating four other patients in the emergency department, including performing gastric lavage on one patient and inserting a nasogastric tube in another.
Learn more: Protests break out over allegations of medical negligence
He alleged that a large number of his male relatives entered the women’s medical ward and that a young man grabbed his left arm, insulted him and attempted to assault him. He said relatives of other patients intervened to stop the attackers. He added that he reported the situation to the DMS, but security personnel were absent. Fearing violence, he said he then locked himself in the DMS office.
Dr Qasim, speaking about his action, said it was a natural reaction after continuous verbal abuse, death threats and physical harassment, and was not meant to insult anyone. He said the meaning of the gesture could be verified online and that he expressed his protest silently, without using abusive language or violence.
He also questioned whether it was appropriate for large numbers of men to enter the women’s medical ward, hurl abuse and record videos, and ask where the security guards were, despite his complaints to the DMS.
Medical professionals and social media users said the obscene gesture could in no way be justified, while also calling for action against any other emergency personnel found negligent.
Sources said Dr Qasim graduated from Nishtar Medical College and was considered a very capable student, having achieved distinctions in physiology, pathology (general and special) and ENT. However, during his work from home, he reportedly faced problems which led him to freeze his work from home and undergo treatment. Sources also claimed that he had previously suffered from psychological problems and had been suspended from working at home due to his absenteeism.
The report of the commission of inquiry constituted on the instructions of the vice-chancellor is still awaited.
