Authorities at the Peshawar Institute of Cardiology (PIC) have uncovered a major theft involving medical supplies worth more than Rs45 million from the hospital’s central store, prompting swift administrative and legal action.
The incident surfaced during routine stock verification, which revealed that large quantities of high-value disposable medical items used in cardiac treatments, including angioplasty procedures, were missing.
Preliminary estimates place the loss at around Rs4.5 crore, with final figures expected after a detailed audit.
Hospital management registered a First Information Report (FIR) and formed an inquiry committee to investigate the case.
Four store employees have been suspended, arrested, and handed over to police, while departmental proceedings against them are also underway.
Investigators believe the theft was carried out in a planned manner, with perpetrators allegedly opening sealed boxes, removing expensive items such as stents and other devices, and resealing packages to avoid detection.
Initial findings suggest the stolen supplies were later sold in various parts of Peshawar, and authorities are examining whether additional staff or external networks were involved.
Hospital spokesperson Rafaqat Anjum confirmed that the implicated employees have been dismissed from service and said strict legal action would follow once investigations conclude.
She added that hospital operations and patient care services remain unaffected despite the incident.
The hospital has announced steps to strengthen store management and monitoring systems to prevent future incidents.
Officials say investigations are ongoing to recover stolen equipment and identify all those involved.
The case has raised fresh concerns about accountability within public healthcare institutions, as PIC serves cardiac patients from across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and neighbouring regions.