For women patients: 90 female MLOs to join government hospitals

High court displeased with lack of action against malpractice of male officers.

KARACHI:

Health authorities informed the Sindh High Court on Friday that appointment of 90 female medico-legal officers (MLO) in public sector hospitals has been recommended to conduct medico-legal procedures on female patients.

The deputy health secretary stated this before a division bench, headed by Justice Shafi Siddiqui, which was hearing a petition against alleged discrepancies and malpractice by male medico-legal officers at public hospitals.

The secretary said the Sindh Public Service Commission has recommended 90 female candidates to the chief minister for appointment as medico-legal officers at government health facilities. "After successful candidates accept their offer letters, their training will begin at medical university hospitals so that they can discharge their duties at the hospitals," the deputy secretary added.

Unhappy with progress

The bench remarked that earlier orders passed on December 18, 2012, and January 30, 2013, regarding discrepancies and malpractice are very clear. However, they observed, it appears that the grievances referred to in the petition and the said orders have yet to be redressed and have been taken lightly. Therefore, the judges issued a notice to the health secretary to intervene and hold meetings with all the stakeholders to resolve the issue as soon as possible.

The health secretary was directed to submit a compliance report within four weeks and cautioned that an order would be passed against the relevant officers in case of non-compliance.

The petitioner, a non-governmental organisation called Madadgar, had alleged male MLOs of violating mandatory procedures on victims and subjecting women and children to sexual abuse at public health facilities. The court was pleaded to direct the authorities to bring an end to such violations and also establish forensic science laboratories in each provincial district.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 13^th, 2014.