PMDC Issues Details of Initial Probe on Student Suicides, OT Video Scandal Cases

The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) moved forward with its probe into three major cases, including the tragic suicides of two medical students and an operating theater (OT) video scandal, by holding preliminary hearings and referring all matters to its Disciplinary Committee for final decisions.

According to a PMDC statement, the preliminary hearings were conducted to ensure a fair and informed assessment before initiating formal disciplinary proceedings. Relevant stakeholders, including representatives from the institutions involved, were invited to present their accounts and help establish a clear factual record.

PMDC President Rizwan Taj reviewed the initial findings and sought clarifications from representatives to verify key facts and assess the strength of the evidence. This process was used to determine whether the cases were ready to proceed to the Disciplinary Committee for further adjudication.

The first hearing focused on the “OT video leak scandal,” in which five doctors, Tayaba Fatima, Zainab Tahir, Muhammad Essa, Ayesha Afzal, and Maham Amin, appeared before the council.

The case involves the circulation of an inappropriate video on social media by postgraduate trainees at Lady Wellington Hospital in Lahore, showing doctors racing while performing surgeries on two operating tables and making callous remarks.

The second hearing addressed the suicide of Fareeha, a final-year MBBS student at Fatima Jinnah Medical College in Lahore. The third case involved the suicide of Fehmida Leghari, a third-year MBBS student at Muhammad Medical College in Mirpurkhas. The principals of both institutions appeared before the council to present details of their respective cases.

Following the hearings, Taj forwarded all cases to the Disciplinary Committee for final determinations. The Disciplinary Committee is expected to meet next week.

“The Council will ensure that strict action is taken against any individual or institution found responsible for negligence, misconduct, or violations of student protection policies,” Taj said.

He also emphasized the importance of effective grievance redressal mechanisms within institutions, adding that ensuring a safe and supportive learning environment remains a top priority for PMDC.