By Sana Jaffry
In this post, I share the heart-wrenching journey my family and I endured with Dr. Aqeel Ahmed, a cardiac surgeon at OMAR Hospital
based in Lahore, Pakistan.
Our experience with Dr. Aqeel Ahmed was marred by his negligence, unprofessional behavior, illegal charging practices, and the catastrophic outcome that followed. I aim to shed light on the detrimental impact his actions had on our mental health, the misuse of funds meant for free medical care, the deviation from medical recommendations, and the intimidating response received when we questioned his unethical behavior.
Despite the medical expenses being covered by the Sehat Card scheme, which is designed to provide free medical facilities to citizens in need, Dr. Aqeel Ahmed unlawfully demanded additional money prior to the operation. This illegal charging not only violated the principles of the government scheme but also placed an unjust financial burden on our family. We were shocked to discover that Dr. Ahmed exploited our vulnerability by disregarding the guidelines and misusing the funds meant to provide accessible healthcare to the underprivileged.
Deviation from Medical Recommendations:
Prior to the surgery, we consulted renowned experts, including Dr. Tayyab Pasha, the Incharge of the Cardio Department at Jinnah Hospital. They all unanimously recommended that the heart bypass surgery should be performed with the assistance of an on-pacemaker device. Despite this clear advice, Dr. Aqeel Ahmed chose to proceed with the surgery off pace? As during operation Dr. Aqeel Called us and informed that the patient’s was stopped than we have to attach a pace- maker device, When the heart stopped for an agonising 15 minutes, causing severe damage to other vital organs. This irreversible mistake, a direct consequence of Dr. Ahmed’s decision, led to the devastating loss of my brother’s life.My brother, a father of three girls and a baby boy, was merely 45 years old when his life was tragically cut short. His untimely demise has left his children without a father, casting a dark shadow of uncertainty over their future. While we acknowledge that life and death are ultimately in the hands of Allah, we firmly believe that it is our responsibility to do our utmost to provide the best possible care. However, our concern lies in the fact that Dr. Aqeel Ahmed seemingly bypassed a thorough examination of the case and hastily proceeded with the operation. This rushed decision raises serious questions about the level of attention and consideration given to my brother’s condition before the surgery took place.
the deviation from medical recommendations, and the threatening response received when questioning his unethical actions underscore the urgent need for accountability in the medical profession. It is imperative that we shed light on such experiences, raise awareness, and demand justice to ensure patient safety and restore faith in healthcare providers.
