Three 'fake doctors' found working at DHQ Bhakkar

Govt physicians absent for weeks, inquiry ordered

BHAKKAR:

Three 'substitute' individuals were allegedly found treating patients at the District Headquarters (DHQ) Hospital Bhakkar, posing as doctors, while the officially appointed physicians remained absent from duty for weeks.

The issue surfaced during a surprise visit by Deputy Commissioner Bhakkar Ehsan Ali Jamali.

During the inspection, it was found that three government doctors were absent from their assigned duties despite continuing to draw full salaries from the public exchequer.

The sources said the absent doctors, identified as Dr Hissam Aziz, Dr Waseem and Dr Hassan Ali, were allegedly engaged in private practice at clinics outside the hospital.

To conceal their absence, they had reportedly arranged for substitute individuals to work in their place on daily wages.

These substitutes were allegedly paid only a fraction of the doctors' official salaries and were not authorised or qualified to provide medical treatment.

Hospital sources claimed that the situation had persisted for a considerable period and that the Medical Superintendent (MS) of DHQ Hospital was allegedly aware of the arrangement but failed to take corrective action.

The lack of effective attendance monitoring, supervision and internal checks raised questions about the hospital's administrative controls.

During the inspection, it was further revealed that the substitute individuals were not registered doctors, raising serious concerns about patient safety.

Officials said that the matter might have continued unchecked had the deputy commissioner not conducted the unannounced visit.

Taking strict notice of the findings, Deputy Commissioner Jamali expressed displeasure over the situation and immediately forwarded recommendations for legal and departmental action against those responsible to the Secretary Health Punjab.

He also assigned the assistant commissioner to conduct a detailed inquiry to determine responsibility and examine all aspects of the case.

Administrative experts said that employing unauthorised individuals in place of absent doctors constitutes a violation of government rules and may amount to misuse of public funds, besides posing risks to patients' lives.

Meanwhile, the Medical Superintendent of DHQ Hospital could not be reached for comment despite repeated attempts.