Justice Mandokhail irked by poor hospital facilities

BHC CJ takes notice of abysmal conditions, orders suspension of superintendent

QUETTA: Chief Justice of Balochistan High Court (BHC) Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail on Thursday ordered suspension of medical superintendent of District Headquarter Hospital, Turbat and an inquiry into the affairs of the hospital, taking serious notice of the poor performance of the medical staff and lack of health facilities and medicines.

Justice Mandokhail along with other judges of BHC paid a surprise visit to the hospital and examined facilities in different wards. He observed that the staff was not giving proper attention to the visiting patients and was providing law quality medicines.

The chief justice visited Operation Theater, emergency wards, surgical, medical and gynecology wards and laboratory. Justice Mandokhail expressed his serious anger over the poor cleanliness conditions in the hospital.

He observed that no pathologist had been appointed in the laboratory of the DHQ Turbat and technician was found running the lab instead. He ordered additional secretary health to appoint a pathologist at Turbat DHQ on immediate basis.

Ultrasound, X-ray machines were also found out of order during the visit and people were forced to go to private hospitals due to lack of facilities. Chief Justice ordered an inquiry into the hospital performance and asked authorities concerned to take steps to improve services, facilities in District Headquarter Hospital.

Senior judges of Balochistan High Court Justice Hashim Kakar, Justice Nazeer Ahmed Langov, Justice Rozi Khan Bareech, Justice Hameed Baloch, Registrar High Court of Balochistan Rashid Mehmood, inspection judge Abdul Qayyum Lehri and secretary to the chief justice Malik Shoaib Sultan were also present on the occasion.

Chief Justice Mandokhail during his stay in Turbat also visited district and sessions court Turbat.

Speaking to the members of Tubat Bar Association, he said judiciary was playing its role and has rekindled the hopes of common people.

“Judiciary is the custodian of the Constitution of Pakistan and assures the fundamental rights of the people,” the chief justice said, adding that the institution is not only considered the most important pillar of the state but is also a foundation on which civilisations are built.

Justice Mandokhail also granted a cheque of Rs 2 million for Turbat Bar Association and assured that all problems and issues of the lawyers would be resolved on priority. 

Published in The Express Tribune, January 10^th, 2020.