LAHORE: Cancer patients at Mayo Hospital Lahore are reportedly facing growing difficulties accessing advanced treatment, with concerns mounting over the availability of qualified specialists, the functioning of a recently established co-ablation centre and shortages of essential anti-cancer medicines.
The situation has raised questions about the management of specialised healthcare services at one of Pakistan's major public-sector teaching hospitals, where patients from across Punjab seek treatment for complex medical conditions.
Adding to these concerns, the Young Doctors Association (YDA) Mayo Hospital/King Edward Medical University (KEMU) has issued a press release warning that administrative problems and the shortage of senior radiologists could jeopardise a cancer treatment initiative introduced under Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif.
The association has demanded urgent intervention from the provincial health authorities, including an inquiry into complaints concerning the hospital's Medical Superintendent (MS), the appointment of experienced radiology leadership and the restoration of advanced cancer treatment services.
Advanced cancer treatment facility faces operational difficulties
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif inaugurated Mayo Hospital's modern co-ablation centre in September 2025, introducing advanced equipment imported from China to improve access to specialised cancer treatment in the public healthcare system.
The technology was intended to offer an additional minimally invasive treatment option for selected cancer patients, particularly those requiring specialist tumour-targeted procedures.
For patients unable to afford expensive treatment at private healthcare facilities, the government initiative represented an opportunity to receive advanced medical care at a public hospital.
However, complaints have emerged that the centre is no longer providing its intended services consistently, with patients reportedly facing difficulties obtaining treatment because of the non-availability of appropriately trained specialists.
Some patients who had hoped to receive treatment at Mayo Hospital have reportedly been compelled to seek care at other institutions, where additional waiting periods and referral requirements may further delay their treatment.
The situation is particularly concerning for people with cancer, whose treatment decisions and schedules depend on clinical assessment, disease progression and the timely availability of appropriate medical services.
Although advanced medical equipment remains an important component of modern healthcare, its effective use depends equally on qualified doctors, experienced technical teams, clinical supervision and uninterrupted operational support.
YDA raises questions over shortage of senior radiologists
In its press release, the Young Doctors Association Mayo Hospital/KEMU expressed serious concerns about the current administrative arrangements within the hospital's Radiology Department.
According to the association, a senior registrar has reportedly been assigned responsibilities associated with leading the department, despite the need for experienced senior radiologists to oversee specialised clinical services and postgraduate medical training.
The YDA warned that the shortage of senior specialists could compromise the department's ability to provide advanced treatment and appropriate professional supervision to doctors undergoing postgraduate training.
It also alleged that administrative difficulties and inappropriate conduct by the hospital's Medical Superintendent had discouraged experienced radiologists from accepting or continuing appointments at Mayo Hospital.
These claims remain allegations made by the YDA and have not been independently established. No formal findings of misconduct against the Medical Superintendent were included in the material reviewed for this report.
Nevertheless, the concerns raised by the association have brought attention to the importance of clinical leadership and the retention of experienced medical professionals at major government teaching hospitals.
Mayo Hospital provides services to patients from Lahore and other districts of Punjab, as well as those travelling from Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.
The YDA maintains that continued shortages of senior specialists could affect both patient treatment and the training of the next generation of healthcare professionals.
Retirement of experienced specialist adds to staffing concerns
The reported interruption in co-ablation services has also been linked to the retirement of Professor Dr Shehzad Karim Bhatti, an experienced radiology specialist associated with the operation of the advanced cancer treatment equipment at Mayo Hospital.
Following his retirement, concerns have emerged that the hospital does not have a suitably qualified replacement specialist readily available to continue the procedures.
The YDA has called for the immediate appointment of a qualified associate professor or professor to lead the Radiology Department and help restore the necessary clinical oversight.
It has also proposed that, if an appropriate senior radiologist cannot be appointed, the authorities should consider bringing Professor Dr Shehzad Karim Bhatti back on a contractual basis.
The proposal reflects the association's concern that the absence of experienced personnel could leave advanced equipment underutilised despite the public investment made to establish the facility.
However, the precise current staffing position, the number of trained specialists available and the operational status of the co-ablation equipment require confirmation from hospital authorities.
Cancer medicine shortages increase financial burden on patients
Alongside the concerns over specialised treatment, patients have also complained about the reported shortage of certain essential anti-cancer medicines at Mayo Hospital.
According to complaints received by the reporter, some patients have been unable to obtain prescribed medicines through the hospital and have had to purchase them from private pharmacies.
For patients and families already facing the financial pressures associated with cancer treatment, these additional expenses can create considerable hardship.
Cancer care frequently involves repeated hospital visits, diagnostic investigations, medicines, follow-up appointments and, depending on the diagnosis, combinations of surgery, systemic therapy or radiotherapy.
Interruptions in access to prescribed treatment can create additional uncertainty for patients, although the clinical consequences depend on the individual medicine, diagnosis and duration of any interruption.
The specific medicines affected, the scale of the reported shortages and the number of patients currently purchasing drugs privately have not been independently established.
The complaints nevertheless highlight a broader concern about the availability of essential medicines in public-sector hospitals, where patients often depend on government-supported treatment because they cannot afford comparable private healthcare.
YDA demands inquiry into hospital management
The Young Doctors Association has urged the Punjab Specialized Healthcare and Medical Education Department and the provincial health secretary to take immediate notice of the situation.
In particular, the association has sought a transparent, impartial and prompt inquiry into complaints concerning Mayo Hospital's Medical Superintendent.
It has also asked the authorities to consider suspending the MS from their position pending the outcome of an inquiry, while emphasising the need for administrative accountability.
The demand is part of a broader set of measures proposed by the YDA to address what it describes as serious operational and management concerns.
The association has called for:
- An independent investigation into the allegations concerning the hospital's Medical Superintendent, including consideration of suspension pending inquiry.
- Immediate appointment of a suitably qualified associate professor or professor to provide senior leadership to the Radiology Department.
- Consideration of contractual reappointment of Professor Dr Shehzad Karim Bhatti if a suitable senior radiologist cannot be appointed.
- Restoration of the advanced co-ablation service so eligible cancer patients can receive treatment without unnecessary delays.
The YDA has maintained that patient welfare, professional medical training and the effective use of government healthcare resources must remain priorities.
Its statement also appealed for the protection of the provincial government's investment in advanced cancer treatment equipment and for the necessary administrative action to ensure that these facilities deliver their intended benefits.
The allegations concerning the Medical Superintendent require an independent examination, and the hospital administration's response is important to establishing the complete circumstances.
Modern equipment alone cannot guarantee better cancer care
The situation at Mayo Hospital highlights a challenge facing public healthcare institutions: the need to ensure that investment in advanced medical technology is accompanied by long-term operational planning.
Specialised cancer treatment facilities require more than sophisticated machines. They depend on experienced consultants, trained supporting staff, clear clinical protocols, equipment maintenance, consumable supplies and reliable access to essential medicines.
For advanced procedures such as co-ablation, appropriately trained specialists are particularly important because patients must first be assessed for suitability, and the intervention requires precise clinical and imaging guidance.
Not every cancer patient is a candidate for the procedure, which is intended for selected clinical circumstances rather than as a replacement for all conventional cancer treatments.
Nevertheless, interruptions in access to such services can deprive eligible patients of an additional treatment option and place further pressure on other healthcare institutions.
For a major teaching institution such as Mayo Hospital, the availability of senior faculty and specialist consultants is also essential to maintaining standards of postgraduate medical education.
The concerns raised by the YDA therefore extend beyond the functioning of a single piece of equipment and encompass the wider capacity of the hospital to sustain specialised clinical services.
Patients seek intervention from Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz
Patients affected by the reported difficulties have appealed to Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif to intervene and ensure that the co-ablation centre becomes fully operational.
The YDA has similarly called for immediate corrective measures, arguing that administrative difficulties should not prevent patients from benefiting from healthcare facilities established through public investment.
The developments leave several important questions requiring answers from Mayo Hospital management and the provincial health authorities.
These include the current operational status of the co-ablation centre, the number of patients awaiting procedures, the availability of qualified specialists, the arrangements for leadership of the Radiology Department and the steps being taken to resolve the reported shortages of anti-cancer medicines.
It also remains to be established whether the authorities have initiated an inquiry into the management-related allegations raised by the YDA or developed a timetable for restoring the affected services.
For patients who depend on Mayo Hospital, the immediate priority is access to timely, safe and affordable treatment.
The continuing concerns underscore the need for Punjab's public hospitals to be equipped not only with advanced technology but also with the medical expertise, institutional oversight and essential supplies required to translate that investment into reliable patient care.
Stay connected with Medical News Pakistan
CLICK HERE TO FOLLOW Medical News Pakistan on WhatsApp for breaking healthcare news, hospital developments, patient care issues and important updates affecting Pakistan's medical and dental communities.