Rain leaks into new HMC surgical unit

Doctors use buckets while continuing with operation

PESHAWAR:

A major construction flaw has been exposed at the newly built Orthopedic, Spine, and Trauma Unit of Hayatabad Medical Complex (HMC), which was developed at a cost of billions of rupees.

Just a day after its inauguration, rainwater began leaking from the ceiling of the operation theatre, raising serious concerns about the quality of construction.

A video showing water dripping from the ceiling during surgery went viral on social media, sparking public outrage. In the footage, surgeons can be seen placing buckets to catch the water while continuing with the operation.

According to sources, the operation theatre — part of the recently constructed Orthopedic Surgery and Spine Trauma Unit — resembled a waterfall scene as torrential rains poured in the day after it opened for patient use. The unit was under development for over a decade and had only just been made operational.

The new facility, comprising 110 beds, is described as a state-of-the-art unit offering specialized care in complex cases such as spinal injuries, oncology, arthroplasty, pediatric orthopedics, and infectious diseases. It also serves as a training center for both undergraduate medical students and postgraduate doctors. The unit is considered one of the busiest of its kind across Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.

Sources further revealed that this is not the first instance of poor construction in public hospitals. Similar incidents — such as collapsed ceilings and water seepage — have previously been reported at Khyber Teaching Hospital, Lady Reading Hospital, and hospitals in Bannu.

Medical associations have reacted strongly to the incident. The Provincial Doctors Association (PDA) has termed the situation at HMC "extremely alarming" and demanded a transparent investigation. The PDA emphasized the need for accountability and a full audit to identify those responsible for the substandard construction.

The Association also stressed that public funds must be used efficiently, especially in projects related to healthcare infrastructure. The PDA reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining the highest standards of medical care and called for a detailed review of the construction process to prevent such incidents in the future.

Meanwhile, the K-P government has decided to introduce amendments to the Medical Transplantation Regulatory Authority (MTRA) law to curb the illegal trade of human organs, including kidneys, and to regulate organ transplants across the province. Currently, 12 cases of illegal transplants have been referred to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), and investigations are underway.