Shifa International Hospital Islamabad fined Rs 900,000 for medical negligence

Government of PakistanShifa International Hospital Islamabad fined Rs 900,000 for medical negligence

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: President Dr. Arif Alvi has directed the Islamabad Healthcare Regulatory Authority (IHRA) to issue instructions to Shifa International Hospital Islamabad (SHIFA) to refund an amount of Rs 2.9 million to the daughter of a patient who died due to the medical negligence, professional misconduct, and malpractice of the doctors of the hospital.

The president also upheld the imposition of fine of Rs 900,000 on SHIFA as maladministration and medical negligence had been proven against the hospital.

   

President Arif Alvi issued these directions while rejecting a representation filed by IHRA against the orders of the Wafaqi Mohtasib (WM) in which the Mohtasib had held that the complainant (deceased patient’s daughter) had been discriminated against as in a similar case in the past, IHRA had not only imposed a fine on SHIFA but had also issued the directions to the hospital to refund the amount in lieu of medical bills.

Shifa International Hospital Islamabad fined Rs 900,000 for medical negligenceWhile rejecting IHRA’s representation, the president observed that IHRA had investigated the complaints, found medical negligence and imposed fine of Rs 900,000 upon SHIFA which had also been received by IHRA and thus medical negligence had been established upon the healthcare establishment.

The president further stated that IHRA did not direct the hospital to reimburse actual amount of medical bill incurred on the treatment of the complainant’s mother as per orders of the learned Wafaqi Mohtasib; whereas in another case namely Dr. Iqtidar Mehmood Dara Vs. Shifa International Hospital, Islamabad, IHRA had held that “The Medical Bill should be refunded to the complainant by SHIFA International Hospital”.

Dr. Arif Alvi held that it was an established principle that similarly placed persons should be treated alike and equal treatment to all is the hallmark of our Constitution i.e., Article 4 and 25.

The president further stated that the object and purpose of the law would be fulfilled only when the complainant was provided relief for any negligence by the hospital.

“The Agency must have been more vigilant and watchful to fulfil its responsibilities”, he added.

The president further observed that the main purpose of the establishment of Islamabad Healthcare Regulatory Authority was “…to provide a regulatory framework to ensure provision of quality health care services, by implementing quality standards by the healthcare sector, to residents of the Islamabad Capital Territory”.

President Arif Alvi noted that IHRA was responsible to “exercise any powers and perform any functions as may be necessary for carrying out the purposes of its Act on the instruction of the federal government”, and since maladministration and negligence had been established and it had not been assailed by SHIFA, therefore, the orders had been rightly passed, and the representation deserved to be rejected.

As per details, Mst Farrukh Naeem Tahir (the complainant) had alleged that her mother was diagnosed with COVID-19 who died due to the negligence of the doctors of SHIFA and she lodged a complaint before IHRA against the hospital and IHRA imposed a fine of Rs 900,000/- on the hospital for committing negligence but did not ask the hospital to refund the medical bill amounting to Rs 2,979,637/- as per order of the Wafaqi Mohtasib.

Thereafter, she filed a review application and requested to re-open the case and re-visit its earlier decision with the direction to IHRA to issue instructions to the hospital to refund the medical bill.

The Mohtasib issued the orders in her favour, which were impugned by IHRA by filing a representation with President Dr. Arif Alvi.

The president rejected IHRA’s representation and ordered the refund to be paid within a week to the complainant.

Mati
Mati
Mati-Ullah is the Online Editor For DND. He is the real man to handle the team around the Country and get news from them and provide to you instantly.

Must read

Recent News

USD to PKR: USD Dollar Rate in Pakistan Today – 29 March 2024

0
The US Dollar (USD) was being bought and sold at Rs 278.2 and Rs 280.9 in the Open Market against the Pakistani Rupee (PKR)...

Gold Price in Pakistan Today – 29 March 2024

0
On Friday (March 29, 2024), the gold rate for one tola of 24-karat in Karachi, Pakistan, is Rs 229,900.000.It's important to note that gold...
The Media Circus staged by judges in Pakistan

The Media Circus staged by judges in Pakistan

0
Islamabad, Pakistan: The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa, and Prime Minister Mian Shehbaz Sharif held a meeting to...

Pakistan vs New Zealand T20I Series Tickets to go on Sale from Friday

0
LAHORE, Pakistan: The tickets for the five-match T20I series between Pakistan and New Zealand will go on sale from Friday, March 29, 2024.The series...

Judicial Commission to probe IHC judges’ allegations on ISI Operators

0
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: The federal government has announced the formation of a Judicial Commission to probe Islamabad High Court (IHC) judges' allegations on ISI Operators...
Advertisement