KARACHI: The Sindh Healthcare Commission (SHCC) has sealed an allegedly illegal hospital in Malir 15 following the confirmation of mpox (monkeypox) in a 20-day-old newborn, amid reports of unsafe circumcision practices and serious violations of infection prevention and control protocols.
According to officials, laboratory tests conducted at Dow Laboratory confirmed the presence of the mpox virus in samples collected from the newborn. The infant had reportedly undergone circumcision using contaminated medical instruments, raising serious concerns about infection control practices at the healthcare facility.
Following reports of the infection in Korangi, the Sindh Healthcare Commission launched an operation against Ibn-e-Hassan Hospital, located in Malir 15, where unqualified personnel were allegedly performing circumcision procedures on children.
During the inspection, healthcare authorities identified serious deficiencies in cleanliness, sterilisation procedures, and infection prevention measures. Officials said the hospital was operating illegally and that its unsafe medical practices posed significant risks to patients, particularly newborns and children.
The hospital administration and staff reportedly resisted the inspection and enforcement action, prompting officials to call in police to ensure the safety of the inspection team and facilitate the operation.
The enforcement action was carried out with the cooperation of the District Health Officer (DHO) Korangi and the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Korangi.
The Sindh Healthcare Commission subsequently sealed the hospital over alleged illegal medical activities, the involvement of unqualified personnel, and violations of healthcare safety standards.
The incident has raised concerns about the risks associated with unregulated healthcare facilities and the importance of proper sterilisation, qualified medical personnel, and strict infection prevention measures during surgical procedures.
Health authorities are continuing their investigation into the circumstances surrounding the newborn's infection and the hospital's medical practices.
