The writer is Editor of The Express Tribune
Earlier this year when I took my journalism class from Karachi University to JPMC, the initial reaction was that of shock. How could a hospital serve so many people and what kind of treatment could be given. However, after over a dozen interviews with patients and staff it emerged that instead of people being upset, they were happy with the services being provided. An CAT scan that may cost Rs30,000 at a private hospital costs Rs3,000 here and that too on the same machine. Similar are other charges. Students who initially made faces in the wards then turned around and said that in a country like Pakistan, the JPMC comes across as an island of hope – where some wards can be compared to the best private hospitals in the country.
Despite immense funding and staffing challenges, the JPMC struggles on. It has seen many highs in the past. It was once billed to a CENTO regional center of medical excellence. It has also been a sought after center for postgraduate medical personnel from all over the country owing to its strengths.
Affiliated to the JPMC is the Sindh Medical College, set up on the initiative of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and producing doctors ever since. Here JPMC medical staff were drafted in to teach and assist, but without the remuneration that was seen at other public medical schools.
More recently, the SMC became part of the Dow Medical University but there has been a concerted move to make SMC a university of its own. This has led to some problems as some feel that the college should take over the JPMC and not the other way round. In this effort, a couple of persons stand out. One of them is cardiologist Dr Javed Suleiman, currently the president of the Association of Pakistani Physicians of North America (APPNA), a social welfare body.
Other parties are also interested in upgrading the SMC to a university. But last ditch efforts in the Sindh Assembly, prior to the previous government winding up, failed – and the issue remains unresolved. And for good reason, say others.
In all this, there is another battle that is being raged and that is of devolution. While the JPMC, being a postgraduate medical centre and not a hospital, comes under the Federal Legislative List and not the Concurrent List where the devolution was effected, there continues to be a tug of war between the JPMC administration and the Sindh government over control of the entity. This matter is now subject to litigation with a court order restraining transfers or teaching arrangements.
All this has affected the working of the JPMC. Vested interests have started to strangle the JPMC so that their demands can be met. Staff has also been affected. Today out of 28 departments, only 9 have professors in them.
Despite all the challenges, the JPMC continues to provide good and cheap medical care to thousands daily. And yet, the two persons who have been instrumental in steering the course in such turbulent times have now been let off as the stakes get higher. Earlier this month, JPMC Director Dr Tasnim Ahsan and Joint Director Dr Seemin Jamali were removed from their positions by the Sindh Chief Minister on the insistence of an almost unknown NGO called the Doctors Association on charges that are still to be specified.
Prior to this both these brave women were threatened, harassed and then attacked by persons who want them to quit. And yet they did not bend under the pressure with the result that the powers that be have now changed tactics.
Some say that at the bottom of this is the prime land on which JPMC stands. Over 75 acres in the centre of the city, of which already over a third has been encroached. The rest is now up for grabs. Justice anyone?
Published in The Express Tribune, June 10th, 2013.
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COMMENTS (38)
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Is Dr.Bhatti still on director post in Jinnah Hospital ?
JPMC is still in Fedral govt or in sindh govt ?
No doubt that jpmc is a great facility for those who could not afford the expenses of private hospital. It provide very cheap treatment medical services to people. I myself witnessed some of the wards at hospital like chest ward that were very well organized and have excellent staff . This hospital is a gift for people specially for poor people, it should not be suffered for the vested interest of some people/lobbies.
We as an organization that carries out interventions that promote safe motherhood and avert maternal death and disability were devastated that two medical professionals who had provided support and empathy to the cause of women's health were stopped from carrying out this great work.
It is good news that they have been reinstated and will be able to carry on the work of serving the poor and marginalized and carrying out the the near impossible task of managing a hospital in a challenging environment.
18th amendment is abolishing concurrent list, not devolution of health. Thats why 32 out of 37 functions of defunct federal health ministry have been retained by the federation. A new ministry of national services has been created. Who will provide health care for Islamabad, Fata and federal employees. The remaining five devolved include three institutes which have nothing to do with the 18th amendment but were used as bargaining chips to save government
The Hon. Court has annuled the arbitrary order of the Govt of Sindh removing the administration of JPMC without observing due process. This legal decision has been taken by the Hon court in its wisdom on merits as per law and without any prejudice. This automatically restores the uprooted administration without any break. All actions taken by the illegally planted managers are also deemed to be void. It is only procedural that the sindh Govt should in consequence of the court order withdraw its notification. Even if it is not withdrawn formally it has no bearing on the final outcome if the legitimate incumbants resume their functions. Anyone not allowing them to function or causing any hinderance would be liable for contempt of court besides other substantive offences.
Legally the court has to order the sindh gov to reinstate the former director and joint director. So my question is quite simple that has the court sent the order to the sindh gov? Has the gov of sindh removed the new director yet? If they haven't so will the sindh gov challenge this decision in the court of law? Because the supremacy of the executive has been challenged by this decision. My point of view is that the health department is a provincial subject after the 18th amendment bill which was passed by the federal gov.
It is rumored that the incumbents sitting illegally in the offices of administration have decided to defy the court orders and not allow the legitimate administrators to function as ordered by the High court of Sindh. I hope some sense prevails and all concerned obey the court orders and show some grace as educated people instead of behaving like hooligans and street urchins. I am sure the Hon. High court will take due notice of non compliance and hold all delinquents in contempt and send them to the cooler for at least six months .
Have they joined their offices?
It is a shame how the events have unfolded at JPMC. Two upright doctors have been victimized. As they were a stumbling block for all those who wanted to steal and plunder instead of healing the sick. Thankfully the courts work without bias :). May justice prevail always.
Injustice has been served. Media and people should be proud. applaud
justice served..court has over ruled the orders and the ladies have been restored to their posts...
It is very upsetting to see that those people who have done a commendable job and served JPMC wholeheartedly are now being alienated just because of some association's so called allegations which have not been proved yet!! This shows how insecure and frightened the people are of these two ladies who have always worked through principles.
We all know that JPMC is one of the largest hospitals in Karachi and is the most efficiently run too. The challenges which this institution face are far bigger than one could imagine. Running such a place so efficiently for so long can only point towards righteousness of the administration. Of all the big hospitals JPMCs emergency is the place where people rush to because of its sustained management. No amount of government funding is enough to cater what is being delivered. It had been the effort of these two women that this hospital has been running better than its counter parts.No other Government run hospital can compete with JPMC thanks to the dedication of duo. Those who are happy to see a change in administration can wait and see the results in the near future.
well done doctors association by fragmenting JPMC along ethnic lines and giving powers to the beaurocracy to meddle in JPMC issues. wait for the day when Sindh government will start posting their favorite ones to all the vacant posts of JPMC and transferring these doctors to other places. then we will regret
well done doctors association. JPMC, the symbol of national unity, brotherhood and cotolerance is being fragmented along political/ethnic lines . By helping beaurocracy to remove its senior directors and giving them powers to meddle in JPMC issues, doctors have chopped off the tree that gave them shelter. The day is not for away when Sindh government will start posting their favorite ones to all the vacant posts of JPMC and transferring these doctors to other places. But then it will be too late.
this is not about journalism but the morality. No humanbeing would use such a language against any body, least to talk about females who were your teachers , administrators and sisters. There will be many people in JPMC who can verify that and many photographs of wall chalking/ naming females, breaking their offices are available on record. Difference of opinion is always welcome but going to that extent is not acceptable to any civilized.
@ Anonymous Please.... please....please....could you refrain from getting personal to anyone. I am finding this really upsetting to see that the reputation of this institution is being damaged by petty debate/ comments on social media. All those involved must resume discussions and resolve these issues amicably please. Internationally this scenario is causing embarrassment for those doctors who have graduated / trained from this institution.
@Dr AR Jamali: Sweet Dr. Jamali, you being better or bitter half should not have commented. I am repeating again that this journalist should have published view point of other party also, not less not more. I am not a party and not against anyone. I agree that all people should stop being personal and move on. By the way AR Jamali you are one of the finest human beings I know!
All,
JPMC has a massive potential. Please respect this institution and the academics of this institution moreover, stop doing politics with this internationally renowned institution. Such matters/ issues must not be discussed on roads with violence.
Please....please....please....please...resolve this amicably by bringing everyone to the table.
It is really very painful to see this happening to an institution of this cadre.
I fully endorse your views Dr. Baloch and again urge my senior and Junior colleagues to show restraint and maintain decorum and decency refraining from casting aspersions on each other . Senior doctors deserves due respect and regard This dirty linen should not be washed in public.
whatever has happened in Jinnah hospital is too upsetting and too degrading. doctors are the most educated this is not expected from them. Madam tasnim ahsah i know her personally is one of the best professors i have ever met her capabilities as administrator are also well known. there are so many who have learned from them and are serving the nation..she during her time at Jinnah has done so much for the hospital including Cyber knife one of the most expensive treatment options in the world and only facility in whole world which is free of cost for the poor is available at JPMC. the MICU building, the emergency department , the new neurosurgery building. she is also not a bad directer whatever she did was done in good faith and was done after consulting the whole hospital..every one was consulted juniors and seniors and with their will a court case was filled. and its the stay order of the court which has resulted in a status cu in JPMC. please every one please try to get the facts right then become aggressive. these attitudes are not expected from the cream of the nation.
its so saddening to see what is happening in JPMC. such attitudes are not expected from doctors.. they are the cream of the nation the most educated.. i dont understand what can drive men with statures of associate professors, head of departments to talk to a directer especially if that person is a Lady. throwing tables and breaking stuff and swearing and using bad language.. this is not expected from civilized people.. all those who have done this remember this is what you are teaching your juniors don't complain if one of them at some time in your life stands up in front of u and slaps you and throw u around.... what goes around comes around...
It’s a pity that the discussion is now getting ugly with unsubstantiated personal allegations against doctors who are held by most, if not all, in very high esteem. Without prejudice to the legitimacy of the Doctor’s Association , it certainly does represent at least a section of Doctors of the JPMC . However it is sad that somehow they landed in an unsavory situation which brought such a bad name to the institution. As a professional colleague I earnestly suggest that this discussion on the social media must come to an end because an inquiry in to the incident is already being conducted at a senior level and every one must wait till responsibility is fixed and some action taken against all who may be found guilty of any misconduct . Such media trial will only smear the good name and reputation of all the Doctors and it would be a very unfair exposure of such a noble profession.
Also the Doctors' Association was fighting and protesting for all the funds which were given to JPMC but kept disappearing under the watchful eyes of Dr Seemin Jamali and Dr Tasnim Ahsan. The Association was not protesting for its own ulterior motives or promotions, but for the betterment of JPMC and the fair treatment of its patients.
Please stop doing politics with this institution. This is an institution that has a massive potential to become one of the best. The institution has produced some very learned and talented doctors with its limited resources and most of these now work abroad. Moreover we should not question the clinical ability of the two doctors at all; rather, recognise that administration/ management may not be their stronger area of expertise as they are primarily clinicians. Internationally hospitals are usually managed by individuals who have management qualifications/ experience but this not a blame on those doctors. Clearly something has gone wrong somewhere and this issue must be resolved amicably in the greater interest of the local population and moreover in the interest of the reputation of this institution and all those doctors who have gained knowledge from this hospital/ institution.
I agree with Wajeeha. People need to move on. Rather than holding grudges they need to work together and make JPMC a better place for patients by giving them the best facilities in the best environment and under the best doctors the nation has. Plus this comments area isn't to start fights so people need to stop sending me weird messages for voicing my opinion and asking people who read this article to 'research before judging'.
hats off for bringing the truth to the nation
I feel pity over the puzzling situation of Jinnah Post Graduate Medical Center. It’s a public oriented medical care center serving people for years. It should not be left hanging like it seems now. The higher authorities should not come under pressure of some political wings or other. Vested interests always lead to devastation to the organization. All the interests should be kept aside, only to make JPMC stronger and more appropriate to solve people’s miseries.
@Sadiah Pal: Mam I am sorry that you have taken the things personally. I am not a jouranalist. Journalsit has to present both point of views so reader knows what the problem is. No doctor is trained by single physician and it is collective trainig that doctors get and then learn from their own practice to evolve into an inddividual physician. I under stand that Dr Tasneem is qualified person and has taught as a part of duty not as a favour. I don't want to go into qualifications of other doctor . But that is besides the point. I am not party to dispute and my comment again is and was that Journalist and ET should have both point of views. I am sorry to feel from your comment that if these 2 doctors leave JPMC will stop working and that is not true. life will go on believe me. I have seen JPMC very closely from BA Qureshi to Tasneem Qureshi as director. From Dr. Rab to Tasneem Q, surgeon Hamid to dr Mahar in Surgery, from Dr Zk qazi(orthpod to dr mahboob), from Jaffer Naqvi nephrologist) to Dr Manan. From Zaki hasan( neuroPsychiatrist) to Dr, Shoukat, from TH kirmani( eye specialist) to Dr Niazi. From Prof Razia to Dr Zeenat to Dr Jamal in NICH. I agree that JPMC is going down the hill and is not because of doctor's association. it is because of multifaceted issues including crooks that have directed JPMC and partisan professors. Probably you have not seen the glorius days of JPMC!
@sadiah pal I know/saw everything plus followed everything from both sides. Firstly, Rangers are never present at JPMC ( I have only seen police cars near Casualty due to security reasons ). Secondly, if you talk about accounts I am sure you'd like to go through the accounts of JPMC and ask where did the money go?! Thirdly, since we want to serve the patients as JPMC being one of the largest hospitals in KHI, why have two departments been shut down? Why were no new doctors appointed? Where is the money that was suppose to fill the petrol in generators when 5 patients on ventilators died? As I remember the former-joint-director was on a strike at that time and didn't respond to any calls. Look I can tell you things that no one knows. I can show you threats that people gave to Doctor's Association on media and off it. But the bottom line remains, if you aren't a part of JPMC then you can never know what the problems are. I hope I have convinced you enough to research before judging. Thank you.
I may not not know about the technicalities regarding SMC being converted into a university and the devolution of JPMC under the provincial government BUT I do know for a fact the wonderful work that Dr. Tasnim Ahsan and Dr. seemin Jamali have undertaken at JPMC. You just have to look at the JInnnah emergency and ward 6 to see the extraordinary work they have done. Being a doctor myself I know that Jinnah serves people irrespective of caste, creed, political affoliation or ethnicity unlike some other government hospitals. These 2 women are brave and morally upright and this is what they are being punished for.
Mahrung Jamali there are more than 30 witnesses to the ransacking and physical threats issued by the thugs of this so called doctor's assoc at the admin block of JPMC. If you are their neighbour or friend, it's very strange you don't know this. Does doctor's assoc represent all the thugs of JPMC who pick fights with Rangers, and shut down services? who audits their accounts? when did they hold their last elections? are they even registered ?
Anonymous it seems you don't live in Karachi ! You can go around and ask anyone in the city (except the thugs of the so called doctor's assoc) and political parties with vested interests, & you will find what immence repect these two Lady Doctors demand both amongst the patients they treat and countles students they've trained, who are themselves consultants in various medical fields all over the world ! There is nothing dishonest in the article above..it is all factually true. You are the one who is dishonest by denying these facts & not revealing your identity. Who will suffer from this unlawful decision? not you for sure, but the poor public of Karachi which cannot afford to get treatment at private hospitals. JPMC is one of the few hospitals in Karachi which was not in the clutches of a political party, but not any more.
@Anonymous: I salute ET for taking up the issue of JPMC, b Eva use it serves the public and is a vital institution. Sind government, including its Health Dept has become too politicised with an adverse effect on their professionalism. Today the powerful Land Mafia lobby threatens not just our Health system and Education, having grabbed all public parks of Karachi, but the peace of this city. Keep up the good work Mr Kamal.
This is very dishonest journalism where without getting opinion from other party you have published this thing. This is the pattern you are following since some time. JPMC doctors association is at least 25 years old and from time to time it's activity goes up and down. There is no reason people out of JPMC should know it.
First of all I wanted to point out that the Doctors Association is not 'unknown NGO'. Its an organization formed by doctors to voice their problems since quite some time.jus Secondly, the points due to which Dr Seemin Jamali and Dr Tasneem Ahsan were removed were shared with the media at all times (I think you could have done some research in that field). Thirdly, none of these women was 'attacked, threatened or harmed' in any way. I am their neighbor. I think I would know if any of this happened, don't you think so? Forth, I don't see you mentioning the Rangers attack on Doctors. Do you know they were called on by the administration that day? Do you not know that Dr. Sikander who was hit is still admitted in the hospital? Shocking how you can write an opinionated article without researching. This is what journalism has come down to in our country.