Authorities in Bahawalnagar have arrested two individuals posing as doctors after they were caught performing surgery inside a private hospital that had been operating illegally for years. The shocking discovery was made during a surprise inspection by the health department, following public complaints regarding the hospital’s questionable medical practices.

The facility, located near Hussainabad Chowk, was immediately sealed. Officials confirmed that the individuals involved had no formal medical qualifications and were employed to perform complex surgical procedures, including Caesarean sections.

How the Raid Unfolded

Acting on a tip-off, the health department launched a sudden inspection at the hospital. Inside the operating room, officials found four individuals dressed in white coats actively conducting a surgical procedure on a female patient. Upon questioning, two of them confessed they were not qualified doctors. They had been hired by the hospital’s management to conduct surgeries and pose as legitimate medical professionals.

The operation was halted immediately, and both fake doctors were taken into custody on the spot. Law enforcement officials registered a formal criminal case and began further investigations into the facility’s operations and staff credentials.

A History of Illegal Activity

The hospital in question had a troubling history of evading regulation. It had previously been sealed multiple times for operating without a license but reopened repeatedly after paying administrative fines. Despite warnings, it continued to offer medical procedures without oversight, employing individuals without any valid degrees or certifications.

Community members had raised concerns in the past, but enforcement remained inconsistent. The recent arrest finally exposed the deep-rooted malpractice and lack of accountability that had allowed the hospital to function unchecked for more than a decade.

Owner on the Run, Legal Action Underway

The hospital owner, identified as Aslam Hayat, managed to flee the scene before authorities arrived. He is accused of hiring unlicensed individuals to perform surgeries and running the facility under false pretenses. Along with the two arrested men, three others including the owner have been named in the First Information Report (FIR).

Law enforcement agencies have launched a manhunt to apprehend the absconding individuals. The arrested suspects are currently under police custody and will face criminal charges under healthcare and penal laws.

Sealing of the Hospital and Patient Relocation

In the immediate aftermath of the raid, all patients present at the hospital were safely transferred to the District Headquarters (DHQ) Hospital by emergency services. Medical teams were dispatched to assess the condition of the transferred patients and ensure that any harm caused by the illegal surgeries was promptly addressed.

The hospital premises have been permanently sealed until further notice. Officials stated that no unlicensed medical establishment will be permitted to operate in the region going forward.

Broader Implications for Healthcare Safety

The Bahawalnagar incident is not an isolated one. Across various parts of the province, numerous clinics and private hospitals continue to operate without proper oversight. These establishments often staff individuals lacking any medical training, exposing patients to life-threatening procedures and misdiagnoses.

This incident has once again raised urgent concerns regarding the regulation of private healthcare facilities, the integrity of licensing authorities, and the need for stronger enforcement of medical laws.

Urgent Reforms Needed

This alarming case underscores the urgent need for healthcare reforms at the provincial and national levels. Authorities must implement the following measures to prevent similar tragedies:

  • Conduct regular inspections of all private hospitals and clinics.
  • Verify credentials of all medical staff through a centralized database.
  • Enforce strict penalties for hospital owners operating without valid licenses.
  • Launch public awareness campaigns to educate citizens about recognizing qualified medical practitioners.
  • Improve the reporting mechanism for patients and whistleblowers to alert authorities anonymously.

Final Thoughts

The arrest of two unqualified individuals performing surgery in Bahawalnagar is a disturbing reminder of the risks posed by unregulated medical practices. While swift action has been taken in this case, the incident highlights systemic flaws in healthcare oversight. The safety of patients must be paramount, and only a robust regulatory framework with consistent enforcement can ensure that such reckless endangerment is permanently eliminated.

As the investigation continues, authorities must treat this not only as a crime but as a wake-up call to cleanse the healthcare system of malpractice, fraud, and negligence.