Young patient dies due to lack of ventilator at JPMC
A 17-year-old patient, Nisar Ahmed Bhario, died at Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC) ICU allegedly due to the unavailability of a ventilator, sparking violent reaction by heirs in the early hours of Friday.
Following the death, the patient's enraged family stormed the surgical ICU, assaulted on-duty doctor Dr Shiva Ram, and caused extensive damage. CCTV footage later confirmed that 10 to 15 individuals barged into the ICU and forcibly dragged the doctor out.
According to hospital doctors, the ICU has only nine ventilator-equipped beds-seven of which were occupied, while the remaining two were reserved for critical surgical and gynecology patients. They clarified that the decision to allocate ventilator beds rests solely with the hospital administration and not with individual doctors on duty.
Family members allege that Nisar had been suffering from respiratory issues and fever for a month, and although he was brought to the hospital daily, doctors repeatedly refused to admit him.
On Wednesday morning, when his condition deteriorated, doctors suggested an ICU transfer, but allegedly Dr. Shiva Ram denied admission to Ward 23, after which Nisar passed away.
Following his death, the family took the body to Saddar police station and began a protest, demanding a murder case against the doctor. They claim that negligence led to the young man's death and that the reaction came only after doctors allegedly manhandled the patient's attendant.
In response, doctors at Jinnah Hospital's emergency department halted services in protest, significantly affecting incoming patients. Senior medical officer Dr. Waqar stated that emergency patients depend primarily on internal medicine doctors, and their absence has led to severe difficulties. Doctors further emphasized that ICU safety protocols prohibit unauthorized entry, yet a politically affiliated group forced their way inside. The medical staff has called for strict legal action against those involved in the assault.