Cause and effect: Journalists banned from entering hospital in DI Khan
DC says they have not restricted media access
Another letter, issued on the same day by head of the department Dr Akhtar Munir, stated one major operation — a laparotomy — 10 cases of routine surgery and five other procedures were carried out at the facility. PHOTO: FILE
PESHAWAR:
The management of District Headquarters and Teaching Hospital DI Khan has imposed a ban on the entry of media personnel at the facility. The decision was taken soon after media reports exposed the hospital administration for failing to maintain uninterrupted power supply in the facility.
“You are directed not to allow any media official [into the premises] without permission,” stated a letter issued from office of the medical superintendent of the facility addressing the Reserve Police Centre incharge at the hospital. A copy of the letter issued on August 19 is available with The Express Tribune.
According to insiders, Dr Farooq Gull, the medical officer at the facility, shared some pictures on social media where doctors were performing a surgery at the operation theatre using “mobile torches”. This was the only alternative as electricity supply was suspended at the hospital and the administration had no alternative to maintain power supply.
Gull said some 17 surgeries were carried out by using torches which panicked the hospital administration and compelled the health ministry to initiate an enquiry into the matter. The district administration later wrote to the hospital management to verify facts.
Loopholes
On August 19, the hospital management wrote to the deputy commissioner that the power supply had been suspended for 15 minutes which further raised questions as to how 17 surgeries can be carried out over a short span of time.
“Wapda and Pesco officials were asked through our electro-medical technician/ electrician about it,” the medical superintendent stated in his reply to the DC. “They said the supply was suspended for 10 to 15 minutes due to storm and wind and after that the power was restored.”
As per the reply, power generator which supplied electricity to the surgical ward was also in working condition. This also contradicts social media reports where Gull alleged the power generator was out of order and the supply was suspended.
Another letter, issued on the same day by head of the department Dr Akhtar Munir, stated one major operation — a laparotomy — 10 cases of routine surgery and five other procedures were carried out at the facility.
“All these cases were performed smoothly with no mishaps except short breakdown of electricity. The record of this is provided to the medical superintendent,” the letter read. It added the power generator was in working condition.
However, Provincial Doctors Association Acting President Dr Rizwan Gandapur questioned why the hospital management imposed a ban on entry of media if the reports were baseless. “It clearly suggests there is something wrong,” Gandapur said.
When contacted, Deputy Commissioner Motasim Billah Shah said they have not imposed a ban on media since it always played an important role in highlighting issues which were resolved later. “How can someone’s privacy be disclosed without permission of the relevant person and that too inside an operation theatre?” the DC said.
Dr Fazal, the medical superintendent of the facility, could not be reached for comment despite repeated attempts to contact him.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 22nd, 2016.
The management of District Headquarters and Teaching Hospital DI Khan has imposed a ban on the entry of media personnel at the facility. The decision was taken soon after media reports exposed the hospital administration for failing to maintain uninterrupted power supply in the facility.
“You are directed not to allow any media official [into the premises] without permission,” stated a letter issued from office of the medical superintendent of the facility addressing the Reserve Police Centre incharge at the hospital. A copy of the letter issued on August 19 is available with The Express Tribune.
According to insiders, Dr Farooq Gull, the medical officer at the facility, shared some pictures on social media where doctors were performing a surgery at the operation theatre using “mobile torches”. This was the only alternative as electricity supply was suspended at the hospital and the administration had no alternative to maintain power supply.
Gull said some 17 surgeries were carried out by using torches which panicked the hospital administration and compelled the health ministry to initiate an enquiry into the matter. The district administration later wrote to the hospital management to verify facts.
Loopholes
On August 19, the hospital management wrote to the deputy commissioner that the power supply had been suspended for 15 minutes which further raised questions as to how 17 surgeries can be carried out over a short span of time.
“Wapda and Pesco officials were asked through our electro-medical technician/ electrician about it,” the medical superintendent stated in his reply to the DC. “They said the supply was suspended for 10 to 15 minutes due to storm and wind and after that the power was restored.”
As per the reply, power generator which supplied electricity to the surgical ward was also in working condition. This also contradicts social media reports where Gull alleged the power generator was out of order and the supply was suspended.
Another letter, issued on the same day by head of the department Dr Akhtar Munir, stated one major operation — a laparotomy — 10 cases of routine surgery and five other procedures were carried out at the facility.
“All these cases were performed smoothly with no mishaps except short breakdown of electricity. The record of this is provided to the medical superintendent,” the letter read. It added the power generator was in working condition.
However, Provincial Doctors Association Acting President Dr Rizwan Gandapur questioned why the hospital management imposed a ban on entry of media if the reports were baseless. “It clearly suggests there is something wrong,” Gandapur said.
When contacted, Deputy Commissioner Motasim Billah Shah said they have not imposed a ban on media since it always played an important role in highlighting issues which were resolved later. “How can someone’s privacy be disclosed without permission of the relevant person and that too inside an operation theatre?” the DC said.
Dr Fazal, the medical superintendent of the facility, could not be reached for comment despite repeated attempts to contact him.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 22nd, 2016.