Faisalabad Institute of Cardiology news this week centres on an unusual overlap: the hospital plans to broadcast live cardiac surgeries from its operation theatres to a professional conference while Punjab Healthcare Commission (PHC) inspection teams—the provincial health regulator—are due to examine the same facility.
The arrangement was set out after FIC Medical Superintendent Dr Nadeem Akhtar issued official order No.30419-25 on 29 October 2026. That order said PHC teams would conduct inspections at the hospital from 2 to 7 November 2026. All heads of departments, doctors, nurses, paramedical staff and other employees were directed to work according to their duty rosters, avoid negligence and refrain from taking leave, with strict departmental action threatened for anyone who failed to comply.
Conference plans live theatre broadcast
Separately, a two-day cardiac surgery conference is being organised at a private hotel by the Pakistan Association of Cardiovascular Surgeons (PACVTS)—the surgeons’ professional body—in collaboration with FIC. According to the conference programme, live cardiac surgeries will be transmitted from Faisalabad Institute of Cardiology operation theatres to participants at the hotel on Friday 6 November from 8:30am to 12:30pm. Organisers say the broadcast is meant so young and newly qualified doctors can learn from senior surgeons’ work.
Why staff are uneasy about the timing
The same MS order says PHC teams will look at staff attendance, hospital records, emergency services, routine operations and related matters. Under those conditions, theatre, anaesthesia, perfusion, nursing and other teams would find it hard to stage live surgeries while inspections are under way. Hospital staff are reportedly concerned about the clash between teaching broadcasts and regulatory checks.
What the medical superintendent says now
When contacted about the schedule, Dr Nadeem Akhtar gave dates that differ from his written order. He said PHC teams would visit from 2 to 5 November, while live surgeries for conference participants would be shown on 6 November. The written order still lists the inspection window as 2 to 7 November 2026. How the two calendars will be managed on the ground has not been spelled out beyond that clarification.
Timeline: what has happened so far
- 29 October 2026: FIC MS Dr Nadeem Akhtar issues order No.30419-25, warning staff about PHC inspections from 2–7 November and barring leave during that period.
- 2–7 November 2026 (per the order): PHC inspection window for attendance, records, emergency and routine services at FIC.
- 2–5 November 2026 (per the MS when contacted): Period he said PHC teams would visit the hospital.
- 6 November 2026, 8:30am–12:30pm: Live cardiac surgeries scheduled to be broadcast from FIC theatres to the PACVTS conference at a private hotel.
Aasan alfaaz mein
Faisalabad Institute of Cardiology mein in dinon PHC ki inspection ho rahi hai, jo hospital ke kaam ko check karti hai. Saath hi 6 November ko hotel mein conference ke liye OT se live heart surgeries dikhane ka plan hai. Staff ko full duty aur leave na lene ka hukum diya gaya hai. MS kehte hain inspection 5 November tak khatam ho jayegi, lekin unke order mein 7 November likha hai—is liye tarteeb pe sawal uthe hain.
