An 80-year-old woman in Pakistan has died after a former security guard posed as a doctor, and performed surgery on her.

According to AFP, Shameema Begum had died on June 6, about two weeks after Muhammad Waheed Butt, a security guard, had attempted to treat her back wound at a public hospital, known as Mayo hospital, in the city of Lahore.

What happened on the day of her surgery?

Pakistani media Geo News further reported that Begum had been brought to the hospital on May 17 by her family to treat a boil.

Upon examination, she was shifted to the surgical ward, the family added. They were then approached by the guard who claimed to be a doctor, and offered to help them.

Butt then took Begum away for surgery. It was unclear what kind of operation he performed, although there was a qualified technician also present.

Afterwards, Begum was bandaged and discharged, although her bleeding had not stopped.

Charged the family for operation and house visits

In the wake of the operation, Butt visited Begum for two days to change her bandages, charging the family 500 Pakistani Rupees (S$4.30) for each visit.

The family also paid Butt an unspecified amount for the operation.

Butt subsequently offered to take Begum back to hospital when her condition worsened.

Family discovers actual identity of doctor

Both AFP and Geo News reported that the family only found out about the actual identity of the "doctor" from staff upon returning to the hospital.

According to Mayo Hospital staff, Butt had been fired from the hospital two years ago for trying to extort money from patients.

A spokesman for the Lahore police further said that Butt has also posed as a doctor and made home visits to other patients in the past.

Arrested and handed over to the police

Butt has since been arrested and taken into police custody.

Another employee who was also on duty at the time of Begum's operation has also been suspended, according to the hospital's medical superintendent.

An administrative official was also quoted as saying, "We can't keep up with what every doctor and what everyone is doing at all times. It's a large hospital."

In the meantime, Begum's body is currently being kept for an autopsy to determine if her death was the result of complications arising from the botched surgery.

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