Cancer medications worth Rs360m stolen from Civil Hospital Karachi

Two hospital employees, who were removed from their positions, involved in the theft are still at large

Cancer medications worth Rs360 million were stolen from Civil Hospital Karachi, prompting the filing of a theft case against two hospital employees on Thursday.

As per details, the Medical Superintendent (MS) of Civil Hospital Karachi, Syed Muhammad Khalid, filed a complaint at the Eidgah Police Station. The complaint revealed that two hospital employees colluded to illegally sell 76,000 cancer treating tablets, valued at Rs360 million.

Khalid informed the police that health department employees Niaz Ahmed Khaskheli and Iqbal Ahmed Channa, along with other staff members, were involved in the theft of the cancer medications. He detailed that between February 17, 2023, and September 29, 2023, 76,000 tablets of Albunox 50mg and Palbunox 125mg were stolen.

Following the registration of the case, police conducted raids to arrest the two health department employees. However, the suspects have not yet been apprehended. Last week, an internal investigation by the health department was conducted against both employees.

The health department sent a letter to the MS of Civil Hospital, identifying Khaskheli, a Grade 16 dispenser in charge of the hospital's control room evening shift, and Channa, a Grade 16 staff nurse, as being involved in the theft.

The letter indicated that the health department had issued orders to file a case against the employees and they were removed from their positions. Police officials said efforts to locate and arrest the suspects involved are underway.