By ABDULLAH 
In a startling case of alleged corruption and mismanagement, essential medical equipment worth over Rs. 12.1 million has mysteriously disappeared from Jinnah Hospital Lahore, one of the city’s largest public health facilities.
According to multiple reports, the vanished items include operation theater tables, hospital beds, air conditioners, wheelchairs, and other vital furniture and assets—all critical for patient care and hospital operations. The total estimated value of the missing equipment exceeds Rs. 12.1 million.
The Specialized Healthcare and Medical Education Department (SHC&MED) has taken serious notice of the matter and issued a show cause notice to Dr. Shabbir Hussain, the in-charge of Jinnah Hospital. The action followed the findings of a three-member inquiry committee formed to investigate the incident.
The committee’s investigation reportedly uncovered evidence of deliberate foul play, implicating Dr. Shabbir in potential intentional negligence and corruption. The show-cause notice accuses him of failing to prevent or report the systematic theft of high-value medical items over a specific period.
If Dr. Shabbir fails to offer a credible and satisfactory explanation, the department has warned of strict disciplinary action, including possible suspension and legal proceedings.
This incident has triggered widespread outrage and renewed public concern over transparency and accountability within Pakistan’s public healthcare institutions. Healthcare professionals, civil society members, and patients have demanded that the stolen equipment be immediately recovered and that those responsible be brought to justice.
The situation has drawn comparisons to an earlier scandal at Civil Hospital Karachi, where cancer medicines worth Rs. 360 million were stolen in a high-profile pharmaceutical theft uncovered in 2024. That case also revealed deep-rooted corruption, with hospital employees caught selling lifesaving medication over several months.
The Jinnah Hospital equipment theft not only undermines the efficiency of the hospital but also shakes public confidence in government-run facilities already grappling with resource shortages and overburdened systems.
Experts argue that such recurring incidents reflect systemic weaknesses in inventory management, internal audits, and oversight mechanisms. With previous similar cases still unresolved, critics are calling for digital tracking systems, surprise audits, and greater transparency in procurement and asset management in public hospitals.
As the inquiry progresses, the spotlight remains firmly on Jinnah Hospital and the Specialized Healthcare Department. The outcome of this case could set a critical precedent for how Pakistan’s public health sector handles corruption and administrative negligence moving forward.