KARACHI, April 23: The provincial Health Secretary, Ashiq Hussain Memon, paid a surprise visit to the Sindh government hospitals in Korangi and Ibrahim Haideri and suspended five grade-18 doctors, two grade-17 doctors and 14 paramedics on account of absence from their duties, according to an official release.

Mr Memon inspected the OPD block and various wards during the visit to the hospital in Korangi and also convened a meeting with its medical superintendent and medical officers.

Speaking on the occasion, he pledged to resolve all problems facing the doctors’ community and urged them to devote themselves to the noble cause rather than perusing financial goals.

He held out the assurance that services of orthopaedic, cardiac and gynae experts would soon be made available at the hospital and a round-the-clock emergency department would also start functioning.

When the secretary arrived at the hospital in Ibrahim Haideri, he found that only one lady doctor was present while five grade-18 doctors — senior medical officers Dr Muhammad Shahid, Dr A. Baqi, Dr Asghar, Dr Akhtar Hussain, Dr. Zahid Hussain — and medical officers Dr Rasheed Lakhio and lady medical officer Dr Farzana Yasmeen were absent. Two dispensers Imtiaz Ahmad and Abdul Aziz, staff nurses Ms Siroj and a driver Mr Shamsuddin were also absent. All of the absent staff were issued suspension orders on the spot.

Mr Memon took serious notice of the non-availability of facilities, like screening/checking of AIDS and hepatitis, at both the hospitals. He also expressed his displeasure over the poor cleanliness and hygienic conditions and lack of certain other facilities at the hospital in Ibrahim Haideri.

Additional Secretary (Technical) Dr Muhammad Iqbal Daudpota was accompanying the health secretary during the surprise visit.—PPI