November 21, 2002	Thursday	Ramazan 15, 1423

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RAWALPINDI, Nov 20: The Punjab health department is revamping the medico-legal examination system, sources said.

The constitution of special medical boards for medico-legal examination in police torture cases, death in custody, re-examination and postmortem had become complex after the installation of the local government system.

The Punjab health minister, Dr Mehmood Ahmed Chaudhary, confirmed that changes were being made in the existing system. He said “structural changes” were being enacted.

The proposed changes, he said, would define the roles of different persons in the setup.

“The changes would also decide as to who would be the final court in case of appeals regarding the reports of these medico- legal boards are concerned,” he added.

Prior to the implementation of the devolution plan, the district magistrate or the ADCG had the authority to grant permission for setting up of these boards on behalf of the secretary health.

Meanwhile, it has been learnt that shifting of the district medico-legal board from District Headquarters Hospital to Holy Family Hospital has been proposed.

However, doctors say if any meaningful results are to be achieved, the medico-legal system should be linked with the forensic department.