Action and reaction: Doctors withdraw strike call over DC’s misconduct

Hazara commissioner accepts association’s demands

HARIPUR: Doctors Association Haripur (DAH) has decided to withdraw its strike call over the Haripur DC’s alleged misconduct with a doctor after meeting the Hazara commissioner.

Speaking at a news conference on Thursday, DAH President Dr Hasnain Raza Turabi said Hazara Commissioner Muhammad Akbar Khan held a meeting with representatives from the association Thursday morning and accepted all their demands.

Spiralling tensions

A day earlier, DAH had threatened to go on strike if the provincial government did not transfer Haripur DC Tasleem Khan and order an enquiry against him within 48 hours.



Tensions escalated between doctors and the district administration when the Haripur DC paid a surprise visit to the children’s ward of District Headquarters Teaching Hospital on December 21. Tasleem realised the doctor in charge had not taken a round of the ward even though several children were critically ill.

The DC summoned Dr Irshad Yusuf, the doctor in charge at the facility, and Medical Superintendent Dr Zakeem Khan Wazir, over delays in providing health care to minors. Yusuf alleged the DC attacked him.

Mission accomplished

“The commissioner has agreed to order a judicial inquiry into the incident,” Turabi said. “He has also decided to ban administrative officers from visiting labour rooms, operation theatres and other wards without permission from the medical superintendent and the district health officer.”

According to Turabi, photography at the hospital will be strictly prohibited and only the media will be allowed to take pictures at various wards. “Bringing gunmen to the hospital will not be allowed,” he added. Turabi said the commissioner apologised to Yusuf on behalf of the DC.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 1^st, 2016.