Internal dispute: Two injured in firing in DHQ hospital Charsadda

MS Dr Muhammad Khan Afridi arrested.

CHARSADDA: The medical superintendent (MS) of District Headquarters (DHQ) Hospital Charsadda was suspended by the health minister on Sunday after a firing incident triggered by a row between the MS and paramedic staff left two people injured.

The injured were identified as Sohail Javed, son of Javed Iqbal, the laboratory in-charge at DHQ and Sohail’s friend Imran.

According to the statement Sohail gave to the casualty police, he was visiting his father at the hospital when MS Dr Muhammad Khan Afridi and his son Tariq Afridi opened fire at them. “It was attempted murder,” claimed Sohail, adding the reason behind the assault was a row which had occurred between the hospital’s paramedic staff and the MS a few days ago.

The firing incident on Sunday occurred around 10am, following which the police arrived at the site and arrested Dr Afridi and his son. A case was registered against them under sections 324-24 of the Pakistan Penal Code.

The relatives of the injured men held a protest and demanded Dr Afridi’s immediate transfer from the hospital.

Minister for Health Shaukat Yousfzai took notice of the incident and ordered an inquiry after suspending the MS.

Later in the day, Director General Health Waheed Barki visited the hospital and spoke to various officials about the incident. He then directed Dr Mushtaq Khan, a senior doctor, to take charge as acting MS.

However, Dr Afridi claimed it was not his firing which injured Sohail. Dr Afridi told journalists at Tarnab police station that he and his son only resorted to aerial firing and no one was injured due to that. “Sohail was injured by the firing of other assailants,” claimed the doctor.

He explained that he was on a routine round of the casualty ward where five or six armed persons began arguing with him. “When the people present nearby attempted to sort the argument out, the armed men opened fire. I also fired back in self-defence,” said Dr Afridi. He claimed his firing did not injure Sohail and his friend.

Committee formed

Following this, a committee comprising leaders of various political parties was formed to ensure provision of facilities at the hospital. A meeting of the body headed by District Development Advisory Committee Chairman MPA Arif Ahmadzai was held at the hospital.

It was decided by the participants that another committee would be formed under the supervision of DHO Dr Muhammad Nawaz for addressing public complaints.

Meanwhile, the paramedical association has given a strike call for Monday (today).

Published in The Express Tribune, March 24^th, 2014.