Health minister condemns PIC onslaught

Says doctors, patients will be provided security in all govt hospitals

LAHORE: Punjab Health Minister Dr Yasmin Rashid has said that the government sided with the doctors who were tortured by the lawyers in the recent aggression at the Punjab Institute of Cardiology (PIC).

The minister expressed these views while chairing an emergency meeting at the PIC on Thursday to review the aftermath of the attack.

The minister said the government would compensate for the damage caused to the public properties and the doctors’ vehicles after conducting an estimation of losses.

“No one can be allowed to attack hospitals,” she remarked.

Dr Rashid reiterated her support to the doctors’ community and strongly condemned the vandalism by lawyers at the PIC.

Fissures in lawyers, media ties over PIC attack coverage

“All the criminals involved in the attack on the PIC will be brought to justice,” she assured, adding, “Attacking the doctors is highly condemnable.”

She said the doctors and patients will be provided complete security in all the government hospitals.

The minister also said she was tortured along with other public representatives during the hospital assault.

Specialised Healthcare and Medical Education Department Additional Secretary Dr Asif Tufail, PIC Medical Superintendent Dr Muhammad Ameer, Chief Cardiologist Dr Saqib Shafi and other faculty members were present in the meeting.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 13^th, 2019.