Woman gave birth in Karachi JPMC washroom, inquiry report confirms

A pregnant woman delivered her baby in a washroom at Karachi's Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC), an incident confirmed by an inquiry committee that cited serious lapses in patient care. The committee's report found that the woman, who arrived at the hospital in labor, was not given a timely medical assessment. She was denied an ultrasound examination and was instead advised to walk around.

The failure to properly assess and monitor the patient's condition ultimately resulted in the childbirth occurring in a hospital toilet. The inquiry committee also noted the absence of the consultant and resident medical officer (RMO) from their assigned duties. The report indicates the woman reached the gynaecology ward around 9:30 pm but did not receive the standard evaluation for labor pains.

The incident gained significant public attention after videos of the childbirth in the washroom went viral on social media, sparking criticism of healthcare standards at one of Sindh's largest public hospitals. In response to the public outcry, the Sindh Health Department and JPMC administration formed a three-member committee to investigate the circumstances and identify any negligence. The committee has recommended that the RMO responsible for negligence be referred to the Sindh Health Department for disciplinary proceedings. It also proposed extending the training period of the postgraduate doctors on duty by three months as a disciplinary measure to enhance professional accountability and clinical supervision.