Karachi (Digital Post) 65-Year-Old Patient’s Death: Senior JPMC Doctor Seeks Relief Amid Alleged Pressure; YDA Sindh Demands Transparent Inquiry

Karachi (Digital Post) Karachi The death of a 65-year-old patient at Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC) has taken a new turn after Dr. Sanober Sikandar, a senior FCPS-qualified Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine and Supervisor of the Postgraduate Emergency Medicine Training Programme, sought relief from her responsibilities, citing alleged professional pressure, departmental politics and an unhealthy working environment.
Dr. Sanober submitted an application to the Executive Director of JPMC on August 3, 2026, stating that the circumstances following the incident of July 28 had made it extremely difficult for her to continue performing her clinical, teaching and administrative responsibilities.
According to her application, she faced a lack of professional respect, an unhealthy working environment allegedly resulting from departmental politics, and inappropriate conduct by junior resident doctors in the presence of senior administrators. She also expressed concern over the absence of appropriate administrative action against those allegedly involved in the misconduct.
Dr. Sanober has served JPMC with dedication to patient care and postgraduate medical education. Her decision to seek relief has raised concerns within the medical community, particularly because she is an important faculty member and supervisor of the FCPS Emergency Medicine Training Programme.
The Young Doctors Association (YDA) Sindh has expressed full solidarity with Dr. Sanober Sikandar and demanded immediate action over the allegations.
YDA Sindh Chairman Dr. Mehboob Noonari said that Dr. Sanober is the only FCPS Assistant Professor associated with Emergency Medicine at Jinnah Hospital and is also a faculty member and supervisor of postgraduate trainees.
He said that if a senior faculty member and postgraduate supervisor is compelled to seek relief because of the prevailing environment, it could seriously affect the Emergency Medicine training programme and reflects a major administrative concern.
Dr. Mehboob Noonari alleged that instead of determining responsibility for the July 28 incident, pressure was being placed on the senior doctor, while efforts were allegedly being made to protect the doctor reportedly in charge of the night shift.
He demanded that the role of Dr. Waqas, who was reportedly in charge of the night shift, be investigated transparently and that an explanation be sought from him regarding the incident. If negligence is established, appropriate action should be taken in accordance with the rules.
YDA Sindh has demanded:
Immediate action over the alleged misconduct by the junior doctor.
A departmental inquiry into allegations of misconduct, lack of professional respect and an unhealthy working environment.
Strict action against anyone found responsible for creating a hostile environment for faculty members.
Protection of the dignity, rights and professional authority of consultants and postgraduate supervisors.
Transparent determination of responsibility for the July 28 patient-death incident.
No senior or junior doctor should be unfairly targeted, while no individual responsible for negligence should be protected.
Meanwhile, JPMC Joint Executive Director Dr. Suleman said that Dr. Sanober Sikandar is an important member of the institution, a faculty member of the FCPS programme and a supervisor of postgraduate trainees.
He said the administration considers Dr. Sanober a valuable asset and does not want to lose her services. He added that her contribution to patient care and postgraduate medical training is highly valued and that the administration would provide all possible support to address her concerns and resolve the matter at the earliest.
It may be recalled that on the night of July 28, a 65-year-old patient was shifted from Jinnah Hospital to the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD) in critical condition. According to information available, the patient was transferred without being intubated and arrived at NICVD in an extremely critical condition.
According to the NICVD spokesperson, CPR was administered to the patient; however, he could not be revived.
Sindh Health Minister Dr. Azra Fazal Pechuho also took notice of the incident. However, the inquiry into the matter has reportedly not yet been completed.
YDA Sindh has called for a transparent, impartial and comprehensive inquiry to establish the facts, determine responsibility for any negligence and ensure that neither senior nor junior doctors are unfairly targeted or unduly protected.
YDA Sindh warned that if the JPMC administration fails to take immediate action against those responsible for the alleged misconduct and address the concerns raised by Dr. Sanober, the association will be compelled to launch protests and adopt further measures, including an OPD boycott.
YDA Sindh maintained that the healthcare system cannot function effectively without protecting the dignity of doctors, teachers, consultants and postgraduate supervisors working in teaching hospitals.