LAHORE, Feb 4: Justice Syed Shabbar Raza of the Lahore High Court has expressed concern over the miserable condition of patients in government hospitals due to lack of attention on the part of doctors.

He directed the additional advocate-general to advise the SSP (Investigation) to get the case pertaining to death of the father of Hafiz Muhammad Awais at the Social Security Hospital, Multan Road, investigated under his personal supervision.

During the hearing of his writ petition, the judge observed that “the miserable condition of patients in state-run hospitals is well-known to all and sundry. Unfortunately, the doctors are not subjected to any check.”

The judge also directed the AAG to get in touch with the Punjab health secretary and social security administration and submit their reports on the death of petitioner’s father on the next date of hearing. Police investigation report should also be submitted to court after a month.

Petitioner’s counsel Chaudhry Muhammad Khalid submitted that petitioner’s father was admitted to Social Security Hospital, Multan Road, and died because he was not provided the required medical care. The matter was reported to senior police officers, social security and health department, but no action was taken against the negligent doctors.

An FIR was registered after the matter was taken to the chief minister’s secretariat. The petitioner now apprehends that investigations would not be conducted fairly as the accused are influential people.