Laid to rest: Government to set age limit for surgeons, says Rehman Malik

Doctors above 60 years will not be allowed to operate on patients: Rehman Malik

KARACHI: While talking to journalists at the funeral of Pakistan Peoples Party leader Fauzia Wahab, Rehman Malik said that the government will formulate a law to set an age limit for surgeons.

He said that at present there was no law with regards to the age limit of a surgeon but the government will soon formulate one. “Doctors above 60 years will not be allowed to operate on patients.” He also said that the government has taken notice of negligence by the hospital administration and has given orders to seal the records.

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Fauzia Wahab was laid to rest in the Gizri graveyard on Monday.

Her funeral prayers were held at Sultan Masjid, attended by a large number of political leaders, civil society members and family friends.

Among those who were present were, the chief minister, Qaim Ali Shah, Sindh’s acting governor, Nisar Ahmed Khuhro, prime minister’s adviser, Rehman Malik, Gilgit Baltistan’s chief minister, Mehdi Shah, PPP’s general secretary, Jahangir Badar, federal minister Raja Pervez Ashraf, Pakistan Muslim League- Nawaz’s Sindh president Saleem Zia, Dr Arif Alvi of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf and Sindh Assembly MPAs.

Many PPP leaders were besides themselves with grief as Senator Saeed Ghani, Rashid Rabbani and Waqar Mehdi tried to comfort them.

Malik also said that an investigation team will also be set up to probe the cause of death. He said that senior doctors will be included in the committee. “Strict action will be taken if anyone is found guilty,” said Malik.

“It had been a minor surgery but due to the negligence of doctors her condition kept deteriorating and she passed away.” Fauzia Wahab was not only an asset for the party but for the whole country and worked for democracy and rule of law in the country, he added.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 19^th, 2012.