Karachi, Mayor Karachi Barrister Murtaza Wahab has established a five-member committee, in response to public complaints, to investigate the operations of Spencer Eye Hospital. This decision follows his surprise visit to the hospital, during which he noted various concerns about its performance and management.

According to Karachi Metropolitan Corporation, is composed of Union Council (UC) chairmen, including four members from the Pakistan People’s Party and one from PTI. Mayor Wahab’s visit to the hospital included inspections of the operation theater, doctors’ rooms, and staff residences, as well as a review of the attendance and OPD registers. Accompanying him were Municipal Commissioner Syed Afzal Zaidi, Mayor Karachi’s Representative for Political Affairs Karamullah Waqasi, People’s Party South District President Khalil Haut, and other local representatives.

During his visit, Mayor Wahab expressed concerns about the hospital’s poor performance and management, particularly noting the non-operational status of this historically significant institution. He emphasized the need for a comprehensive investigation into why the hospital is failing to provide satisfactory eye care as it did in the past. The mayor also criticized the poor sanitation conditions and inadequate security arrangements at the hospital.

The committee is tasked with submitting a report within a week after evaluating the hospital’s performance from all aspects. Meanwhile, the current Medical Superintendent of the hospital has been placed on forced leave.

Mayor Wahab highlighted the importance of making all wards of the Spencer Eye Hospital fully functional and utilizing its facilities for eye surgeries. He stressed the significance of the hospital in providing treatment to the poor and middle class, noting its reputation as one of the best eye hospitals in Asia in the past.

Additionally, Mayor Wahab announced plans to form monitoring committees consisting of public representatives to review the performance of other hospitals managed by the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC). He emphasized that KMC hospitals should be fully operational, with administrative officers, doctors, and staff understanding their responsibilities to provide quality medical facilities to citizens.

This initiative by the Mayor of Karachi represents a proactive approach to addressing public health concerns and ensuring that essential medical facilities like Spencer Eye Hospital meet the needs of the community effectively.