Patients at the mercy of fake doctors: How security gaps put public hospitals at risk

Two incidents reported within a week—one at Islamabad’s Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) and another at Lahore General Hospital

Two incidents reported within a week—one at Islamabad’s Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) and another at Lahore General Hospital—have once again exposed serious questions about the security and verification systems at major public hospitals.

The Lahore incident is particularly concerning because the suspect was allegedly found inside the emergency labour room of the Gynaecology Ward, a highly sensitive area where women require privacy and specialised medical care.

According to hospital officials, a man identified as Hassan Ijaz allegedly entered the labour room wearing a doctor’s coat and began examining women patients. His activities reportedly raised suspicion among staff, after which he was questioned and subsequently arrested by police.

The central question is straightforward: How did an unauthorised person manage to enter a restricted hospital area while allegedly presenting himself as a doctor?

The incident has prompted questions about access control, identity verification and supervision within government hospitals. Investigators must determine whether the suspect entered independently or whether anyone knowingly or unknowingly facilitated his access.

A recurring problem

The Lahore incident is not the first case in which an unqualified person has allegedly gained access to patients in a major public hospital.

A previous case at PIMS involved a man who was reportedly found working in a hospital department despite lacking recognised medical qualifications. Earlier cases have also been reported at Mayo Hospital Lahore, Services Hospital Lahore and Nishtar Hospital Multan involving individuals accused of impersonating medical professionals.

These incidents raise a broader concern: whether existing systems are sufficient to ensure that only authorised and qualified medical personnel can examine or treat patients.

Where is the oversight?

Major public hospitals generally have multiple layers of administration, including duty rosters, security personnel, identification systems and departmental supervision. Yet repeated impersonation cases suggest that gaps may exist between these safeguards and their implementation.

Hospital administrations must therefore establish how an unauthorised individual can enter a restricted ward, remain there and interact with patients without being detected immediately.

The issue is particularly sensitive in areas such as labour rooms, where patients may be unable to independently verify the identity or credentials of a person claiming to be a doctor.

The patient bears the risk

The consequences of such security failures can be severe. Patients visiting public hospitals often rely entirely on the institution because private treatment is beyond their financial means.

If an unqualified person provides medical advice, conducts an examination or administers treatment, the patient could face physical, financial and psychological harm.

In the Lahore case, police are reportedly examining the suspect’s activities and whether he had interacted with other patients before his arrest. Any allegations of harassment, exploitation or improper conduct should be investigated separately and dealt with according to law if supported by evidence.

What should change?

The latest incident should prompt authorities to review access controls across major government hospitals. Biometric attendance records, duty rosters and CCTV footage should be cross-checked where necessary, while photographs and registration details of doctors on duty could be displayed prominently in sensitive wards.

Hospitals should also establish an easy mechanism through which patients and attendants can verify a doctor’s identity and professional registration.

Most importantly, responsibility should not end with the arrest of an impersonator. Authorities must determine how the individual gained access, whether security procedures were followed and whether any staff member failed in their duties.

The repeated appearance of fake doctors in public hospitals is ultimately a patient-safety issue. Stronger verification, transparent accountability and effective monitoring are essential to prevent unauthorised individuals from gaining access to vulnerable patients.