Punjab Acts on Viral Surgery Video, Doctors’ Training Suspended

News Desk 

Lahore: The Government of Punjab Pakistan has launched a formal inquiry and taken disciplinary action after a viral video allegedly showing unprofessional conduct by medical staff during surgeries at Lady Willingdon Hospital triggered widespread public concern.

The clip, circulating on social media, purportedly shows two surgical procedures being conducted simultaneously inside an operation theatre, with doctors and staff seen making victory signs during the operations. 

Reports suggest the procedures were Caesarean sections and that staff may have been informally competing over completing them first, claims that have intensified criticism over patient safety and professionalism.

Taking immediate notice, the provincial health authorities directed hospital administration to explain the incident. The Department of Specialised Healthcare has sought written responses within three days from Medical Superintendent Dr Farah Inam and Head of Gynaecology Professor Dr Uzma Hussain.

As an initial disciplinary measure, the postgraduate training of four doctors, Dr Tayyaba Fatima Toor, Dr Maham Amin, Dr Zainab Tahir and Dr Ayesha Afzal, has been suspended.

Officials described the alleged behavior as a serious breach of medical ethics and hospital protocols, emphasizing that such conduct undermines patient dignity and violates established standards of care.

Punjab Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique condemned the incident, calling it an unacceptable violation of professional ethics, while Health Secretary Azmat Mahmood warned that strict disciplinary action would follow if the explanations submitted by the hospital fail to satisfy authorities.

The incident has been termed a grave case of negligence, with officials reiterating that accountability will be ensured after completion of the inquiry.