KARACHI, Feb 21: A patient lying on the surgery table and the doctor preparing for her operation escaped serious injuries when the lighting equipment hanging over the table fell off its stand and hit them at the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre on Saturday.

The patient, Ms Nuzhat, was unconscious as she was about to be operated upon in the operation theatre No.7 of the JPMC’s surgical unit. Both the victims suffered minor injuries.

The patient was transferred to the ICU immediately after the incident and the surgery was postponed till a date to be decided later.

It has been learnt that most of the equipment used at the hospital is out of order but no effort is made by the administration to repair them.

Dr Srichand V. Talib, the OT in-charge, was asked to conduct a preliminary inquiry into the incident and Dr Mohammad Umar Baloch, the joint executive director, was told to look into the matter and fix responsibility within two hours.

After physical verification, inspection of the scene and conducting interviews with staff and other people, including senior doctors, nurses, paramedics, Dr Baloch submitted his report and suggested some remedial measures.

Dr Saleem Ahmed Soomro, the assistant professor at the surgery ward No.2, was posted as OT manager with the responsibility of ensuring proper maintenance of operation theatres in future.

Meanwhile, in-charge of the operation theatre has been transferred and, according to a JPMC press release, necessary disciplinary action will be taken against her for showing “negligence”.

The Pak PWD, which is supposed to carry out maintenance of the hospital’s structure, will be questioned about its failure to conduct periodic inspections and ensure proper maintenance, according to the press release which stated: “The administration has noted this unfortunate episode with great concern. It expresses sympathy with the sufferers and pledges to serve humanity with dedication and commitment.” —PPI