LAHORE - The Punjab Healthcare Commission (PHC) has imposed a fine of Rs0.5 million on a private hospital for infected cataract surgeries, held eye surgeon liable under criminal laws and forwarded his case to the Pakistan Medical Commission and Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department for further action.

As per details, 16 cataract surgeries were carried out at the Laeeque Rafiq Hospital (Rukanabad, Adda Laarh) Mutan, but within two days, 12 patients developed serious infections in their eyes, which resulted in complete eyesight losses later on. As part of the initial enquiry, a four-member PHC team sealed operation theatres of the hospital, confiscated the treatment record and took statements of the senior management, eye surgeon Dr Muhammad Husnain Ahmed, doctors and staff concerned. 

Also, the Chief Executive Officer PHC and higher officials visited the Laeeque Rafiq Hospital for a thorough analysis of the whole situation and investigation. 

Chairperson PHC Prof Dr Attiya Mubarak Khalid, while giving details of the decision, has said that the Commission has impartially completed an investigation of the unfortunate incident from all possible angles. “The Laeeque Rafiq has been fined Rs0.5 million (the maximum as per the PHC Act 2010). Secondly, the real culprit is Dr Husnain, who is directly responsible for causing blindness of 12 unfortunate patients,” she said, while adding that the surgeon’s case had been referred to the PMC and P&SHD for action under the relevant laws, besides holding him liable under criminal laws applicable in Punjab. “The affected persons, if they so choose, may approach the local police with a copy of this order for initiation of the criminal proceedings under the Punjab Hepatitis Act 2018 and other applicable provisions of laws,” she said. The PHC team had also sealed eye surgeon’s clinic Husnain Eye Care. Moreover, the Commission has submitted the enquiry report to the Punjab government.