Heads roll after viral C-section procedure video from Lahore hospital sparks action

• Action includes suspension of MS, head of gynaecology department, along with a woman MO, five postgraduate resident doctors, two nurses, and a hospital staffer

• Video allegedly recorded during a C-section procedure at Lady Willingdon Hospital Lahore

• Punjab CM reiterates zero-tolerance policy for any conduct compromising patient dignity, professional standards in healthcare institutions

 LAHORE: The Punjab government has widened disciplinary action in the alleged recording and circulation of a patient’s video during a C-section surgical procedure, suspending senior administrative and medical staff after the incident surfaced through the Chief Minister’s Complaint Cell.

The latest action includes the suspension of the Medical Superintendent and Head of Department, along with a woman medical officer, five postgraduate resident doctors, two nurses, and a hospital staff member. All have been directed to report to their respective departments.

Earlier, four lady doctors had also been suspended in connection with the same case, indicating an expanding probe into the breach.

According to official sources, the video was allegedly recorded during a C-section procedure and later circulated, constituting a grave violation of patient privacy and medical ethics.

Acting on the directives of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, the Punjab government has taken swift and stringent measures to ensure accountability, reiterating a zero-tolerance policy for any conduct that compromises patient dignity and professional standards in healthcare institutions.

In a statement, Punjab Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique stressed that violations of hospital standard operating procedures (SOPs) would not be tolerated under any circumstances.

Secretary of Specialised Healthcare and Medical Education Azmat Mahmood also condemned the incident, calling it a blatant violation of medical ethics, an affront to patient dignity, and a breach of professional standards.

Separate notifications issued by the department cited “inefficiency and misconduct” as grounds for the suspensions, ordering all concerned officials to report back to the department. Even non-medical staff, including two charge nurses and a hospital cook, were suspended as part of the widening probe.

The incident occurred at Lady Willingdon Hospital, where the alleged video was recorded during a C-section operation and subsequently surfaced on social media, triggering serious concern.

On the directions of the competent authority, four lady doctors were initially suspended, while a show-cause notice was issued to the Head of Department of Gynecology Unit-I.

The notice stated that recording videos during medical procedures is a clear breach of medical ethics, undermining patient privacy and dignity. It further noted that such actions are inconsistent with established standards of patient safety and risk eroding public trust in healthcare professionals.

Authorities have sought explanations from those involved over alleged negligence and failure to fulfil clinical responsibilities.

Reaffirming its stance, the Punjab government said it remains committed to upholding professional ethics and ensuring that patient rights and dignity are fully protected across all healthcare institutions in the province.