Shifa International hospital faces highest number of complaints, data reveals
Islamabad: The Islamabad Healthcare Regulatory Authority (IHRA) has reported that the highest number of complaints against healthcare facilities in the federal capital have been filed against Shifa International Hospital. This was revealed in response to an information request submitted by this scribe under the Right of Access to Information Act, 2017.
The data reveals that the IHRA has received a total of 49 complaints during this period, with 16 complaints against doctors, 22 against hospitals, and 11 against health units or clinics. Shifa International Hospital tops the list with five complaints, followed by Pak American Hospital with four complaints. Kulsoom International Hospital and Maroof International Hospital each had two complaints, while Advanced International Hospital, Alfalah Hospital, Dr. Akbar Niazi Teaching Hospital, Family Medical Complex, Medicsi Hospital, PIMS, Shaafi Hospital, and The Hospital (Zimri Orthopedic) each faced one complaint.
The IHRA has also received complaints against several doctors, including Dr. Zainab, Dr. Rihan-e-Kibriya, Dr. Zeeba Kafeel, Dr. Shakeel Shabir, Dr. Faridullah Khan Zimri, Dr. Saiqa Yousaf, Dr. Inayat Ullah Khan, Dr. Tehmina Sajjad Khan, Dr. Aurangzeb Khan, Dr. Faridullah Khan, Dr. Kamal Ud Din Khan, Dr. Noman Izhar, Dr. Nabia Tariq, Dr. Arifa Manzoor, Dr. Hafsa Khan, Dr. Syed Waqar Hussain, Dr. Tahira Batool, and Dr. Human Tasleem.
In addition to hospitals and doctors, the authority has received complaints against several clinics, including 3D Lifestyle Aesthetic Clinic, Aiman Rehab Center, Australian Concept Fertilization, Cosmetico by Dr. Kamal Ud Din Khan, Vital Dental Clinic, Huma Medical Center, Islamabad Mind Wellness and Rehab Center, Salma and Kafeel Medical Center, Shifa Medical Center, Smile Zone Dental Center, and Surgical Centre.
However, IHRA raised concerns regarding patient privacy, arguing that the reports could not be disclosed. The Commission dismissed this plea, stating that since the complaints were filed by patients against doctors who were found negligent and convicted after inquiry, the reports do not fall under the category of personal privacy. The Commission further noted that such reports are public records and must be published as per the law.
Despite the order, IHRA has not provided the inquiry reports and instead challenged the decision in the Islamabad High Court. The court, in an order dated 08-10-2024, suspended the Information Commission’s ruling till the next hearing scheduled for the third week of November 2024.
