Public unease: Response sought in case of VIP visits to hospitals

Pakistan Medical Association asks PHC to ban such calls during emergencies

PESHAWAR: The Peshawar High Court sought comments on Friday from the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government through the chief secretary, health secretary and health director general on political leaders’ visits to hospitals with their protocol during emergency situations.

VIP visits at times of emergencies such as blasts or large accidents hinder doctors and paramedics who are trying to treat victims, said lawyer Saifullah Kakakhel. He was addressing the division bench of Justice Waqar Ahmed Seth and Justice Irshad Qaiser who issued the notices on a petition filed by Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) through its K-P president, Dr Hussain Ahmad Haroon. “Political leaders visit the hospitals along with dozens of their supporters to enquire about those injured in major incidents like blasts. [To convenience the VIPs], all roads leading to hospitals are closed as a security measure.”

Saifullah added the closure of roads causes serious problems to visiting patients. These patients then also refused entry into the hospital as security is heighted for VIPs. He asked the bench to ban VIP visits to hospitals.

Mohibullah Kakakhel, was another counsel for the petitioner, along with Saifullah.

After hearing the arguments, the bench issued notices to the respondents, directing them to file comments within seven days.

Request for space

In its petition, PMA said leaders of various political parties visit hospitals along with dozens of party workers who after enquiring [about the health of] few injured make speeches and leave. It said their visits make it difficult for doctors and nursing staff to handle those injured during blasts and other major incidents. The petition said several persons have lost their lives due to such visits.

A notice ignored

The petition went on to say the provincial government issued a notification on December 26, 2015, banning unnecessary protocol for any leader [at hospitals].

However, after the blast in Shabqadar courts on March 7, Lady Reading Hospital in Peshawar was surrounded by security personnel ahead of the health minister’s visit – in violation of the notification.

The example of Britain was also quoted where a surgeon prevented Prime Minister David Cameron’s visit to the hospital. The petition mentioned Jamaat-e-Islami chief Sirajul Haq along with dozens of his supporters, stating these political leaders visit hospitals and leave after speeches and photo sessions.

The petition asked the bench to ban the visits of political leaders as well as officials of NGOs to hospital on such occasions so doctors and paramedics could treat the injured during emergencies.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 26^th,  2016.