Prompt action : EDO suspended over unavailability of insulin

Drug has been unavailable for patients in Kallar Syedan THQ Hospital

RAWALPINDI: The Punjab Health Department on Thursday suspended the executive district officer (EDO) over unavailability of insulin in Tehsil Headquarters (THQ) Hospital and the basic health units, it has been learnt.

Dr Arshad Ali Sabir along with THQ Kallar Syedan Medical Superintendent Dr Mushtaq Sehr was suspended for having failed to make the life-saving drug available.

Sources in the district health department disclosed to The Express Tribune that the Punjab health secretary on Wednesday evening issued suspension orders for the two doctors.

The health official said that a medical inspection team, formed by Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, made surprise visits to different THQs in Rawalpindi two months ago.

The team, in the report, said that insulin was not available for patients in Kallar Syedan THQ Hospital.

The health official added that Dr Sehr in his response had informed the inspection team that his hospital had no finances to purchase the drug.

The source further said that the district health office was responsible for providing necessary medicines to all the THQs and the BHUs in the district.

The Punjab Health Department held both the officials responsible for the unavailability of the medicine and suspended them.

Repeated attempts were made to contact Dr Sabir on his mobile phone but he could not be reached.

When asked, District Coordination Officer Talat Mahmood Gondal said that he had been informed about the EDO’s suspension.

The DCO said that so far he had no information about the reason behind the suspension of the health officials.

He said that the health department could better explain the reason.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 13^th, 2016.