‘Regifting’: Polyclinic doctor sent on forced leave

Hospital official allegedly sold wheelchairs, ventilators donated by Turkey

ISLAMABAD:

A doctor at Polyclinic hospital has been accused of selling 10 hydraulic wheelchairs and two ventilators donated by the Turkish International Cooperation and Development Agency (Tika) and sent on a forced leave for three months.

After taking the notice of the incident, the Capital Administration and Development Division (CADD) secretary has sent Dr Khurram Shehzad, a medical officer and former spokesman of the hospital, on leave.



Talking to The Express Tribune on the condition of anonymity, a senior hospital official said CADD has constituted a three-member committee comprising Dr I U Baig, a consultant surgeon, Dr Fareedullah Khan, a senior physician, and Dr Sharif Astori, in-charge of the blood bank, to probe the issue.

The committee has initiated an inquiry and on Saturday confiscated all documents from Shehzad’s room, said the official, adding that “The committee has been asked to submit its report on Tuesday,” said the official.

Sharing details about the medical equipment that has allegedly been sold in the market, the official said earlier this year, Tika donated the equipment to the hospital to enhance its facilities and services for patients.



When contacted, Shehzad confirmed that he has been sent on a forced leave by CADD but denied that he had sold anything belonging to the hospital.

“Since the day I took charge as the hospital spokesman, there is a group of officials that has been making all-out efforts to defame me and this is one of those attempts,” he said, adding that the wheelchairs and ventilators donated by the Turkish government are present in the hospital.

Another hospital official looking after the hospital equipment said five wheelchairs are present in the premises whereas the rest are not in a working condition due to which they were sent to the market to be replaced with new ones.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 26^th, 2014.