IHRA asked to make public report on death of young man at hospital

LAHORE: The Pakistan Information Commission has ordered Chief Executive Officer Islamabad Healthcare Regulatory Authority (IHRA) to make public the inquiry report on the death of 26-year-old son of Zahur Ahmad due to alleged negligence of doctors at the Quaid-e-Azam International Hospital Rawalpindi. The order has been issued under the Right to Information Act 2017.

Chief Information Commissioner of Pakistan Shoaib Siddiqui said the order has been issued after IHRA withheld information citing privacy under Right to Information Act.

Zahur Ahmed, a resident of Tehsil Gujar Khan, Rawalpindi, had filed a complaint with IHRA in July 2021, alleging negligence of doctors at the Quaid-e-Azam International Hospital Rawalpindi resulted in the death of his son. Nadeem Umar also asked the IHRA for a copy of inquiry report under the Right to Information Act 2017 on February 14, 2024.

The application of Nadeem Umar was rejected by the Islamabad Healthcare Regulatory Authority. Nadeem appealed to Pakistan Information Commission. The commission issued a notice to IHRA. The law officer of IHRA, during hearing of the case said information is confidential, as it pertains to personal medical records. The commission, however, did not agree with this claim of immunity.

Referring to Section 5 of Right to Information Act, 2017, the commission highlighted inquiry and investigation reports once finalised, should be disclosed by public institutions.

The commission said the inquiry into death of Zahoor Ahmed’s son be made accessible to ensure transparency and accountability.

The commission directed Chief Executive Officer of IHRA to provide certified copies of inquiry report to both the appellant and the commission within ten days. The next hearing by Pakistan Information Commission to review the compliance of its order will be on June 16.