Absenteeism: Health minister suspends five doctors from Ayub Medical College

Announces Rs45 million in development funds for Civil Hospital Sherwan.

ABBOTABAD:

During a surprise visit to Ayub Medical College (AMC) Abbottabad on Sunday, Minister for Health Shaukat Ali Yousafzai suspended five doctors, including the hospital’s deputy medical superintendent for absenteeism, and ordered an inquiry.

The minister checked AMC’s attendance register and found Deputy Medical Superintendent Dr Ehsan, casualty department’s Dr Sher Ayub, radiologist Dr Babar, sonologist Dr Samreen and pathologist Dr Salim were all absent from duty.



Yousafzai ordered their immediate suspension and directed the AMC’s chief executive to submit an inquiry report within three days.

One caregiver, Arsal Khan, approached the health minister and complained of the lack of adequate medical attention given to his patient. Khan said he had brought his aunt to the hospital Saturday evening, and doctors had advised surgery. They had also asked for an ultrasound to be done before the operation.

However, the female sinologist, Dr Sameen, was not present at work, and refused to come in to do an emergency ultrasound – even though the hospital sent her transport. As the result, Khan’s aunt had to be operated upon without the proper pre-op test.

The health minister ordered an inquiry into the complaint.

Earlier, Yousafzai visited Civil Hospital Sherwan and announced Rs45 million in development funds to procure facilities for a laboratory, an ambulance and to hire relevant staff.  He also announced establishing two civil dispensaries at Shaheedabad and Pind Kargo Khan.

Meanwhile, Yousafzai also laid the foundation stone for basic health units in union council Jarral. Speaking to journalists on the occasion, the minister shared his government was facing three main challenges: law and order, corruption and rehabilitation of institutions destroyed by corrupt leadership in the past.

“The entire system is being revised in the province and the new local government system is one key step taken in this regard,” said Yousafzai.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 30^th, 2013.