One-week delay for inquiry report

ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Health needs one more week to compile the inquiry report that will determine whether the former Executive Director of Pims will be reinstated, said Dr Rasheed Jumma on Monday.

Talking to The Express Tribune, Dr Jumma, Director General of the Ministry of Health, said at present an investigation is ongoing over the issue of Dr Ghazala Mehmood’s dismissal after two nurses were allegedly hit by her car. Dr Mehmood was Executive Director of the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims). Dr Mehmood said she did not receive formal notification of her dismissal but another doctor was appointed as Executive Director in her place.

“The issue is becoming increasingly complicated as the health ministry’s inquiry committee conducts more interviews,” Dr Jumma added. Therefore the committee needs to interview more people before coming to any conclusion, he maintained. Last week, the ministry of health had stated the committee will finalise the inquiry report on May 10.

On the other hand, the doctors of Pims continued their ‘token’ strike on Monday from 11 am to 1 pm. Dr Sajid Abbassi, President of the Young Doctors Association, Pims, talking to The Express Tribune, said the doctors will continue their strike until they get the justice. Dr Mehmood Jamal is currently the acting Executive Director of Pims.

Published in the Express Tribune, May 11th, 2010.