LRH sidesteps CM's order on director

Hospital ignores written removal orders, allows director to exit on tenure completion

PESHAWAR:

The management of Lady Reading Hospital (LRH) has effectively ignored the orders of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi by allowing the hospital director to leave honourably upon completion of his tenure instead of taking disciplinary action against him.

According to sources, the chief minister, during a surprise late-night visit on December 15 and 16, had directed the immediate removal of the hospital director over unsatisfactory performance.

However, instead of complying with these orders, the hospital administration constituted an inquiry committee to investigate the matter and instructed it to submit its report to the Board of Governors within three days.

Sources said the inquiry proved inconclusive and ineffective. Rather than implementing the chief minister's directives, the hospital administration chose to wait for the completion of the director's tenure.

It was further revealed that on December 17, the Health Department formally conveyed the chief minister's orders in writing to the hospital administration. The communication also highlighted that the provincial government provides approximately Rs8 billion annually to the hospital, yet persistent mismanagement and the lack of basic facilities for patients were causing serious embarrassment for the government.

Despite this, no action was taken against the hospital director for poor performance. The administration reportedly cited provisions of the MTI (Medical Teaching Institutions) Act, arguing that direct action against officers without an inquiry often leads them to seek relief from courts, creating operational difficulties for the hospital.

Sources confirmed that Brigadier (retd) Dr Abrar, the hospital director, will complete his five-year contractual tenure on December 31, after which he will vacate the position automatically.

Meanwhile, the hospital administration has maintained that the director was not granted an extension in compliance with the chief minister's orders. Hospital spokesperson Muhammad Asim stated that advertisements for the appointment of a new hospital director have already been issued and a new appointment will be made shortly on merit.