Heart-wrenching: Govt surgeon working at private institutions

RTAIC MS working at Ittefaq Hospital, University of Lahore in violation of rules

LAHORE:

The chief cardiothoracic surgeon of Rehmatul Alameen Institute of Cardiology (RTAIC) is working for two private medical institutions without the permission of the competent authority (the Punjab Employees Social Security Institution commissioner), The Express Tribune has learnt.

Shahid Mehmood Malik is apparently too busy to attend the RTAIC owing to his engagement at other private medical institutions, a PESSI official said requesting anonymity.

The PESSI is operating 15 hospitals and more than 260 dispensaries across the province.

When the commissioner granted additional charge of the RTAIC medical superintendent to Malik in the last week of August 2012, he was directed to continue his primary duty of surgery in the hospital.

The hospital was earlier part of Nawaz Sharif Social Security Hospital. It was later given an autonomous status with 60 beds reserved for hearth patients.

Malik is working as medical superintendent in violation of the Finance Department’s policy that says the additional charge of a vacant post might be given initially for a period of three months.

It might be extended for another three months in consultation with the department. After six moths, the post shall be treated as having been abolished. It cannot then be revived without the prior concurrence of the department.

Three to four major heart surgeries are conducted every week at the RTAIC. Dr Farid Ahmed has been carrying out the surgeries due to unavailability of the chief cardiothoracic surgeon.

“The official record shows Malik as doing all surgeries, although he seldom operates on patients at the RTAIC,” the official said.

Malik has also been working as a consultant cardiac surgeon for Ittefaq Hospital, according to the hospital management. If required, he performs surgeries during office hours six days a week.

He offers consultancy at afternoon on Tuesday and Thursday, the management said.

Malik is also working as dean of University College of Medicine at the University of Lahore.

He supervises the Department of Medicine. One of his subordinates, Imran Ahmed, said Malik attended the college on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 8am to 4pm.

“He is not getting a non-practicing allowance and is therefore allowed private practice at evening but he cannot work at a private hospital during morning hours,” the official said.

He said there were at least a dozen doctors at the PESSI who could be appointed medical superintendent.

“According to the Punjab Employees Conduct Rules 1966, a government servant cannot have an additional job without permission of the competent authority,” said a senior official from the Services and General Administration Department.

Asked for his comment, PESSI Commissioner Ishrat Ali said, “I will let you know about the policy.” However, he never spoke to The Express Tribune again.

Malik refused to comment.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 19^th, 2014.