From guard to anesthetist? Punjab investigates shocking OT breach at Lady Willingdon

LAHORE: A shocking breach of medical protocol has escalated concerns over patient safety and hospital governance at Lady Willingdon Hospital.

In a startling revelation, a security guard was allegedly permitted to administer anesthesia to a patient inside the hospital’s operating theatre—a task strictly reserved for trained anesthesiologists. The incident exposes not just individual negligence but deep-seated systemic and administrative lapses that put patient lives at grave risk.

Key officials under scrutiny

Following the video evidence, Punjab Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique has directed immediate action under the PEEDA Act 2006 (Sections 7B and 5(1)(A)). Show-cause notices have been issued to the following responsible officials:

• Dr. Munir Hussain (BS-19), former Senior Consultant Anesthetist
• Dr. Farah Inam (BS-19), former Medical Superintendent (MS)
• Dr. Rotaba Khalid (BS-18), former Senior Registrar Anesthetist
• Dr. Monza Naheed (BS-18), former Senior Registrar Anesthetist
• Dr. Shehwar Aram (BS-18), former Senior Women Medical Officer / AMS (Admin)
• Azma Hasan (BS-17), former Head Nurse

Officials have been asked to submit written explanations within seven days, with penalties and actions to follow under the PEEDA Act.

Systemic, administrative failures revealed

According to the health department, the lapse occurred due to multiple layers of negligence:

• Dr. Munir Hussain, as in-charge of the anesthesia department, failed to ensure only qualified staff were deployed in the OT, allowing the security guard to administer anesthesia.
• Dr. Farah Inam, as MS, neglected enforcement of SOPs and overall administrative control, enabling the incident.
• Dr. Rotaba Khalid and Dr. Monza Naheed signed duty rosters approving an unqualified staff member for anesthesia tasks.
• Dr. Shehwar Aram and Azma Hasan failed in oversight responsibilities, allowing unauthorized medical procedures in the OT.

Health Secretary Punjab Azmat Mahmood confirmed that the act reflects “severe negligence, lack of supervision, administrative breakdown, and corruption,” endangering patient safety and tarnishing the hospital’s credibility.

A wake-up call for Pakistan’s public healthcare system

This incident, coming just a day after the viral OT video controversy, highlights the urgent need for structural reforms in hospital governance, strict enforcement of clinical SOPs, and safeguarding patient trust. Experts warn that without systemic oversight, such breaches could become recurrent, with potentially fatal consequences.

Related story: Operating theatre or game zone? When lives are on the table—and so is ego

Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique has made it clear that such violations are both ethical and legal offenses. The video evidence eliminates the need for a preliminary inquiry, and action will proceed directly under PEEDA regulations.

The unfolding events have reignited nationwide debate on whether public hospitals are adequately enforcing ethical standards, maintaining clinical discipline, and protecting patients from unauthorized interventions.

The bottom line: Patient safety cannot be compromised. The Punjab health department’s response underscores a zero-tolerance policy—but questions remain whether systemic reform will follow or if incidents will continue to put lives at risk.

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