Medicine theft scandal rocks JPMC

The management of Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center (JPMC), the largest government-run hospital of the metropolitan city, has decided to digitalise its operations following the alleged theft of medicines worth millions of rupees. The hospital's management believes that the introduction of an advanced Inventory Management System will reduce incidents of theft and mismanagement in the future.

The theft was revealed when it transpired that medicines worth around Rs1.5 million were stolen by a member of the emergency staff, who loaded them into a van for illegal sale.

The theft was detected when security guards identified suspicious activity, leading to the detention of the suspects.

They were caught red-handed and taken to the hospital's security checkpoint, where a formal complaint was filed.

Speaking to The Express Tribune, Dr Khalid Shir, Executive Director of JPMC, confirmed that an FIR has been lodged and a detailed complaint sent to the Provincial Health Department.

He further stated that a departmental inquiry has been conducted, and the report has been forwarded to the provincial health minister for further action.

Dr Shir assured the public that strict legal measures would be taken against the culprits, with both the Health Department and police expected to follow through with a tough crackdown.

The JPMC now plans to overhaul its operations through digitalization in an attempt to minimise chances of theft.

In the first phase, an advanced Inventory Management System will be implemented in key departments, including the assistant drug managers (ADMs), accounts, and the medicinal and surgical central stores. Dr Shir said that the entire digitalisation process would be completed within four to six weeks, drastically reducing the potential for fraud and theft.