Sanitary worker booked for harassing medic in Rawalpindi

RAWALPINDI:

An appalling incident has been brought to light at the District Headquarters (DHQ) Hospital, where a female doctor endured sexual harassment and threats of acid attack from a sanitary worker.

The accused, identified as Muhammad Afzal, subjected the doctor to harassment during her duty hours and warned of acid attack if she dared to report his misconduct.

The victim, serving as a house officer at the DHQ Hospital, endured four months of harassment by Afzal, who works as a sweeper at the hospital. Despite the distressing situation, she remained silent due to the accused’s threats. However, determined to seek justice, she courageously filed a complaint with the police.

Taking swift action, the DHQ Hospital administration suspended Afzal and initiated departmental proceedings against him. The Ganj Mandi police have registered a case based on the doctor’s complaint and are conducting raids to apprehend the accused, who remains at large.

This is not the first instance of misconduct by Afzal, as hospital authorities have reported previous complaints against him for similar offences. Recognising the gravity of the situation, the hospital promptly took action to address the issue, prioritising the safety and well-being of its staff.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 27^th, 2024.