A woman in labor at Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC) in Karachi faced a distressing situation when denied an ultrasound examination and instructed to walk around. Consequently, she gave birth in a hospital washroom due to the lack of proper medical attention. This incident, captured on video and widely shared on social media, has raised concerns about patient care standards at the hospital.
Following public outcry, the Sindh Health Department and JPMC administration formed a three-member inquiry committee to investigate the incident and identify any negligence by hospital staff. The committee’s findings highlighted instances where the patient was inadequately assessed, no ultrasound was conducted, and the resident medical officer was absent from duty. These lapses not only point to negligence but also underscore systemic weaknesses in Pakistan’s healthcare system.
Despite Pakistan’s commitment to reducing maternal mortality rates in line with Agenda 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals, the country continues to face challenges. Every day, Pakistan records 27 maternal deaths due to preventable complications, along with 675 newborn deaths and a significant number of stillbirths annually. This case at JPMC is emblematic of broader issues in maternal health that Pakistan has struggled to effectively address despite longstanding policy frameworks and international obligations.
