UPDATE JUNE 8, 2021: The woman who was operated on by an ex-security guard posing as a doctor died on Sunday, reports France 24.
ORIGINAL MAY 26, 2021 ARTICLE:
Lahore, Pakistan – When an 80-year-old woman with a back wound arrived with her family at the surgical emergency room Lahore’s Mayo Hospital in Pakistan on May 17 for treatment, what ensued was a botched procedure at the hands of an ex-security guard masquerading as a doctor.
The incident, which also involved the hospital’s operation theater attendant, is under investigation. The accused, Waheed Butt, who had been fired from his position at the hospital as a security guard two years ago, was handed over to the police. The operation theater attendant, Usman Butt, who willingly helped the culprit perform the procedure, has been suspended from his position at the hospital, according to at May 22 report by ARY News.
According to the ARY News, Waheed Butt convinced the 80-year-old woman’s family to allow him to perform surgery to remove a boil from her back. After the unnecessary and botched procedure, the security guard told the family that he would need to visit the woman’s home to continue bandaging her home charging the family for his services for two days.
He was caught after the patient’s health took a turn for the worse. Suffering from excessive bleeding and wounds that weren’t healing, after five days family members took her back to the hospital. The family at this point suspected foul play and reported the incident to the medical superintendent and filed an official complaint with the Gawalmandi police station.
Dr. Iftikhar Ahmed said in the ARY News report that an inquiring committee has been set up to investigate the matter and that the condition of the patient is critical and is undergoing treatment. The Punjab Health Minister, Dr. Yasmin Rashid has directed the Punjab healthcare secretary to investigate and submit a report as soon as possible.
Lahore’s Mayo Hospital is Pakistan’s oldest and largest medical facility.