KARACHI: Following the Sindh High Court’s decision denying immediate relief for the reopening of Alvi Dental Hospital, owner Dr. Awab Alvi has voiced grave concerns, saying it is a vital healthcare facility that serves hundreds of patients.
The hospital was sealed by the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) and the Sindh Health Care Commission (SHCC), halting ongoing treatments and restricting access to critical medical records.
Despite urgent appeals, the hospital remains closed, with Dr. Awab expressing frustration over the lack of response from the authorities.
He alleged the sealing of the hospital may be politically motivated, potentially targeting his father, former president Dr. Arif Alvi, who continues to practice medicine.
He said the sudden closure has severely impacted patient care, with important medical records, including X-rays and treatment histories, now inaccessible. Healthcare providers are unable to continue treatments, and in some cases, patients may have to undergo repeated X-rays, potentially risking their health, he added.
While the SBCA has cited “unauthorized construction” as the reason for sealing the facility, Dr. Awab dismissed the accusation as baseless, asserting that the alleged violations relate only to building extensions and do not affect the hospital’s legal operations.
He questioned why the dental hospital was being singled out while other establishments in the area, including schools and commercial businesses, remain open.
Reports of plainclothes individuals harassing government officers during the closure have also raised concerns of targeted action against Dr. Alvi.
Dr. Awab reaffirmed the hospital's commitment to cooperating with authorities to resolve legitimate issues but condemned the current actions as inhumane and a violation of patient rights. He called for swift action to unseal the hospital, emphasizing the need to prioritize patients’ access to uninterrupted medical care.