Maryam Nawaz hospital visit sparked a heated debate on social media after a viral video showed the Punjab Chief Minister at Mayo Hospital, reprimanding the Medical Superintendent (MS) in front of several people. In the video, she is heard saying: "Are you the MS? Do you even know anything? Who put you here? This guy needs to be fired." She adds, "Be grateful that I’m not having you arrested. You have no idea what’s happening to the patients." The Mayo Hospital controversy gained momentum when Punjab Assembly member Hina Parvez Butt shared the video, stating that the Chief Minister had ordered the Medical Superintendent removal due to ongoing Punjab healthcare issues and patients' suffering. However, as the video spread, social media reactions became divided. Senior Punjab Minister Maryam Aurangzeb defended the Chief Minister’s harsh words, emphasizing her zero tolerance for incompetence and the need for hospital government intervention. Meanwhile, critics pointed out that the healthcare system in Punjab suffers from systemic problems that cannot be solved by publicly scolding officials. This led to a public humiliation debate, where some argued that hospital administration criticism should be handled professionally, while others supported the Chief Minister's accountability, stating that direct action is necessary to protect patient welfare concerns. This incident highlights broader challenges in political leadership and governance and the ongoing healthcare crisis in Pakistan. But what exactly happened, and what’s the full story behind this video?
According to a report by Pakistan’s state news agency APP, this incident took place on Thursday when Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz ordered the removal of Mayo Hospital’s CEO and MS (COO) due to public complaints. During her visit, patients voiced their unnoticed sorrow and unheard cries about the unavailability of medicines, unhygienic conditions, and other issues. In response, Maryam Nawaz expressed severe anger at the hospital administration, reprimanding them harshly, saying: "People are suffering in silent tears, and no one is paying attention. Don’t you have to answer to God? Mayo Hospital is in a terrible state, filled with ignored suffering. Patients come here with hope for treatment, but the administration remains unaware of their hidden emotions." She further stated: "If the same lonely creature feeling hopeless in these wards were your family member, you would understand. Why should the public endure crying in solitude due to someone's mismanagement?" During this surprise visit, Maryam Nawaz held an emergency meeting at Mayo Hospital, ordered 100% availability of medicines, and directed the Health Secretary to identify those responsible and take action against this emotional neglect in healthcare.
According to an official notification issued by the Secretary of Medical Education, Professor Dr. Faisal Masood, an orthopedic surgeon at King Edward Medical University, was removed from his additional charge as Chief Operating Officer/Medical Superintendent. Mayo Hospital, one of Lahore’s oldest government hospitals, is affiliated with King Edward Medical University. Local media reports confirm that Maryam Nawaz has replaced both the CEO and MS of Mayo Hospital. Professor Haroon Hamid has been temporarily appointed as the new CEO for three months, replacing Professor Ahsan Nauman. Meanwhile, Dr. Ihtesham-ul-Haq from the Punjab Institute of Cardiology has been appointed as the new MS, replacing Dr. Faisal Masood.
Mayo Hospital, considered one of Punjab’s top government hospitals, has been facing serious issues in recent months. Reports indicate that patients have struggled due to medicine shortages. According to The Express Tribune, besides the medicine crisis, an incident occurred last week where a hospital elevator collapsed, injuring ten nursing staff members
Maryam Nawaz's viral video has sparked mixed reactions on social media. While many highlighted the poor condition of public hospitals, others criticized the way the Punjab Chief Minister treated a senior doctor in front of cameras. One user commented: “The Medical Superintendent (MS) should have responded to Maryam Nawaz by saying, ‘Madam, if a single patient’s complaint about a lack of medicine is enough to remove me from my position, then by the same logic, considering the grievances of the entire province, you also have no right to sit in your chair. This is an insult to a doctor.’” Journalist Majid Nizami pointed out: “Six months ago, when journalists raised concerns about Mayo Hospital’s condition, PML-N supporters dismissed it as ‘fake news’ and claimed everything was fine. Today, CM Maryam Nawaz has suspended the MS for poor performance. Who will answer for six months of negligence?” Another user, Tariq Wahab Khanzada, commented: “This is a systemic failure, not just the doctor's fault. The funds allocated to hospitals are nowhere near enough to match the services they are expected to provide.” Some users also shared a letter allegedly written by the suspended MS to the Health Secretary some time ago, in which he expressed his desire to step down from the position. However, the authenticity of this letter remains unverified.
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