In a startling revelation that has sent shockwaves through Pakistan's healthcare sector, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC) has been caught secretly transferring maternity patients to a private clinic without proper consent or transparency.
The scandal came to light when multiple patients reported being directed from the public hospital's maternity ward to a private facility called Medicare Hospital, located in Karachi's Gulshan-e-Iqbal area. What makes this situation particularly concerning is that patients were never informed they were being treated at a private institution until they received substantial bills.
How the Scheme Unfolded
According to eyewitness accounts and patient testimonies, the process followed a disturbing pattern:
- Expectant mothers would arrive at JPMC's emergency department seeking maternity care
- Hospital staff would inform them that the maternity ward was "full" or "under renovation"
- Patients were then directed to Medicare Hospital without being told it was a private facility
- Only after treatment did patients discover they had been charged private hospital rates
The Financial Burden on Patients
One victim of this scheme, Shaista Bibi, shared her harrowing experience: "I came to JPMC believing I would receive free or affordable treatment as a government hospital. Instead, I was taken to a private hospital and handed a bill of Rs 35,000 - an amount I could never afford."
Another patient, Rukhsana Ahmed, described how she was misled: "The ambulance driver told me we were going to another government facility. I only realized it was private when they demanded payment after my delivery."
Official Response and Denials
When confronted with these allegations, JPMC Executive Director Dr. Shahid Rasool offered conflicting explanations. Initially claiming the private hospital was being used as a "teaching facility," he later stated that patient transfers only occurred when JPMC's maternity ward reached capacity.
However, medical staff speaking on condition of anonymity revealed that this practice has been ongoing for months, with dozens of patients being redirected to the private facility regularly.
Broader Implications for Healthcare
This scandal raises serious questions about:
- The integrity of public healthcare institutions
- Patient rights and informed consent
- Financial exploitation of vulnerable populations
- Accountability mechanisms in government hospitals
Healthcare advocates are demanding an immediate investigation into whether any financial kickbacks are involved in this patient referral scheme.
What Patients Need to Know
Medical ethics experts emphasize that patients have the right to:
- Know exactly where they are being treated
- Understand the cost implications before treatment
- Receive care at the facility they originally choose
- File complaints when their rights are violated
The situation at JPMC serves as a stark reminder of the challenges facing Pakistan's healthcare system and the urgent need for stronger patient protection measures.
