Medical Superintendent suspended after surgery photo goes viral

Doctor proclaims innocence, says he has not violated code of ethics

FAISALABAD: Tehsil Headquarters Hospital Acting Medical Superintendent has been suspended after it was found that he allegedly took a picture of a woman patient’s surgical procedure and uploaded the image on social media.

Jhang Deputy Commissioner Mudassar Riaz Malik sprung into action after the picture found its way online and subsequently went viral. Taking to The Express Tribune on Thursday, the DC said he received information from his office that a picture of a woman has been uploaded by the surgeon.



“It was taken during a surgery in the operation theatre”. The official added that when he inquired, it was revealed that the surgeon also committed a serious violation of the medical code of ethics by not adhering to the protocols of conducting an operation,” he added.

He added it was also discovered that Dr Safdar carried out an operation of the patient after sunset without an anesthesia specialist, nursing staff, operation assistants, table, light and mask. “This is a serious lapse which cannot be comprised on at any cost,” the DC maintained.



“The operation was carried out with the help of unskilled staff, including daily wagers and gatekeepers.” He added the doctor uploaded the picture of the woman in surgery on a Whatsapp group and social media. “It soon went viral and was widely condemned by a large portion of society.”

He said there is no justification and such liberties cannot be taken by surgeons. The government official continued that such action was highly objectionable and unethical. “That is why I took immediate action.”

The DC revealed that he also spoke to the Primary Health and Health secretaries to inform them about the “illegal and immoral” act of Dr Safdar. Malik added he took them into confidence before relieving the surgeon from duty and placed him at the disposal of the provincial headquarters, besides suspending his services.

He further stated that the charge of acting MS had been given to Additional Principal Medical Officer Dr Abid Hussain Sial from Grade-19 with immediate effect.

When contacted, Surgeon Safdar Abbas denied the charges of uploading a woman patient’s photograph. “I was given charge of the Athara Hazari THQ as the former MS failed to operate and provide medical treatment to patients of the area.”

The doctor proclaimed his innocence, saying there was a conspiracy against him.

“I was replaced by the former Jhang DCO, in place of Dr Abid Hussain. Through a conspiracy, the former MS uploaded the picture through a friend. The image was only uploaded to the DC’s web portal as we have to inform authorities about the workings of the hospital on a daily basis. This is according to the instructions of the provincial Health Department.”

He said the surgery conducted was of a complicated nature and the medics successfully removed a fibroid, weighing almost a kilo, from the abdomen of the woman patient. The photo was snapped by following all ethical norms as the face of the woman was not captured. I declare on oath that it was uploaded by someone else on social media and I was victimised on the behest of some influential people who are bent upon bringing Dr Abid Hussain back. The DC was misguided and I have been punished for a crime which I never committed,” he said.



The doctor defended his credentials by saying that when he took charge, the number of outdoor patients were below 1,000. “Due to my extraordinary efforts, the number has gone up to 15,000 and prompt medical services have been provided to those in need,” he asserted.

“I have been a full-fledged surgeon since 2009 and also have sixth months practical training of anesthesia administration. I have conducted more than 250 surgeries and looked over the most complicated of cases at Athara Azahari THQ,” he concluded.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 18^th, 2017.