Right to Information
Sheikh Zayed Hospital Ordered to Provide Deceased’s Patient Records to Brother
Lahore: In a significant decision, the Pakistan Information Commission has ruled in favor of Syed Majid Ali Shah, directing Sheikh Zayed Hospital Lahore to release the complete medical records of his late brother, Syed Sajjad Ali Shah. The ruling comes following a recent hearing where the Commission addressed concerns regarding the transparency and accessibility of critical patient information.
Syed Majid Ali Shah, the appellant, had sought access to the full medical file of his deceased brother, who was admitted to Sheikh Zayed Hospital on April 13, 2024, and passed away on April 16, 2024. Despite receiving a summary of the patient’s treatment and prognosis, Mr. Shah requested the complete file, including doctors’ notes and details on the cause of death, to better understand the circumstances surrounding his brother’s treatment and demise.
At the hearing, Tahir Yaseen Qureshi, Law Officer for Sheikh Zayed Hospital, presented a written reply stating that the institution had already provided a summary of the patient’s treatment. However, the appellant was not satisfied with this partial disclosure and insisted on receiving the full file. The Commission was informed that a complete copy of the file had not been annexed with the written reply, leading to further scrutiny.
The Commission, after reviewing the appeal and the written response, found the public body’s argument against full disclosure unconvincing. The appellant’s relationship to the deceased was confirmed through his CNIC card, establishing his right to access the complete medical records. The Commission deemed the request a matter of public importance given the context of the patient’s death during treatment.
As a result, the Commission has directed the Chief Executive Officer of Sheikh Zayed Hospital to provide a certified copy of the complete treatment file and the cause of death to both the Commission and the appellant within 10 days. This decision underscores the Commission’s commitment to upholding transparency and accountability in matters of public health and patient rights.
