Clarification

ISLAMABAD: Shifa International Hospital has clarified a news story about its poor services and money minting tactics, terming the accusation leveled by a patient as false in connection with treatment provided to her. “Shifa International Hospital has implemented quality management system in line with the international standards. The clinical care at the hospital is governed by evidence based practices implemented by well-trained and qualified healthcare professionals,” says the press release issued by the hospital in response to story published in The News on May 19, 2018, titled 'SC judge’s family latest victim of private hospital’s criminal negligence'.

“Every effort is being made to provide quality care to the patient that is safe, effective, efficient, and timely and evidence-based. Our practices are in line with the international standards and outcome can be compared with international benchmarks,” the press released added.

Shifa is committed to extend healthcare facilities to all without any discrimination and with the spirit of serving the humanity. The said patient was treated with same care in line with international standards, however, as the matter is sub judice before the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC), we are constrained not to opine in detail on issue so that the proceedings before the PMDC may not be prejudiced, however, we categorically deny all the accusations leveled in the news story being false, incorrect and out of context, it says.

Another clarification is that the land for the hospital was purchased on prevailing full premium amount in sector H-8/4 in 1988 exactly 30 years ago. Another entities in the sector at that time also paid the same price. This can be verified from CDA documents, Shifa added.

Waseem Abbasi adds: The News stands by its story based on application by the daughter of a Supreme Court Justice who was permanently paralysed after her treatment at Shifa International. The matter is being probed by both the PMDC and FIA. After publication of the story countless other patients and relatives contacted this scribe with their horrendous stories about costly but low quality treatment at Shifa and other private hospitals. Some of these cases are in courts of law. The original story published by The News also carried the detailed version of Shifa International.