Mayor Karachi Murtaza Wahab trapped in lift during visit to Abbasi Shaheed for Hemophilia ward inauguration

KARACHI: A routine hospital visit took an unexpected turn when Mayor Karachi Murtaza Wahab and his delegation found themselves trapped in an elevator at Abbasi Shaheed Hospital. The incident occurred shortly after the mayor inaugurated the city’s first dedicated Hemophilia Ward, a significant step toward improving healthcare services for hemophilia patients.

The 12-bed Hemophilia Ward, located on the fourth floor of the hospital’s Trauma Center, has been established in collaboration with the Hemophilia Welfare Society Karachi to provide specialized care for patients suffering from the rare blood disorder. Deputy Mayor Salman Abdullah Murad and other dignitaries accompanied Mayor Wahab for the inauguration.

During the ceremony, Mayor Wahab cut the ribbon, toured the facility, and interacted with young patients, reaffirming KMC’s commitment to enhancing medical services. Raheel Ahmed, Founder & CEO of the Hemophilia Welfare Society Karachi, along with President Anees Rahman, briefed attendees on the importance of the ward and the society’s role in making it operational.

However, as the mayor and his team attempted to leave the hospital, the elevator malfunctioned while descending from the fourth floor and got stuck on the first floor, leaving over 15 people, including Mayor Wahab and Deputy Mayor Murad, trapped inside for nearly 10 minutes.

Security personnel and hospital staff swiftly responded, ensuring a safe evacuation. No injuries were reported, but the incident raised concerns over hospital infrastructure and maintenance. Hospital officials attributed the malfunction to a technical fault and assured a thorough inspection of all elevators to prevent such incidents in the future.