March 13, 2008	Thursday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 4, 1429

RAWALPINDI, March 12: The appointment of a chief executive of the Punjab Social Security Hospital located in the vicinity of federal capital has stirred a controversy jeopardising the operation of the hospital besides sending a wave of resentment among the professional staff.

The appointment of the chief executive of the hospital administratively controlled by the Punjab Social Security Institution (PESSI) was in violation of the rules and regulations.

As per rules, the chief executive could only be appointed in the Social Security Hospital with at least 300 beds.

Bed strength of Social Security Hospital in Islamabad is only 140 and regular posts of one medical superintendent, one additional medical superintendent and two deputy medical superintendents already exist.

Due to the management crisis, the hospital has not been able to provide services to its beneficiaries.

Informed sources said that the Punjab audit department has also raised objections over the creation of the post of executive director in the Social Security Hospital in Islamabad. When contacted, Tariq Masood, Commissioner, Punjab Employees Social Security Institution said that the post was created by the former chief minister of the Punjab, Chaudhry Pervez Ellahi, and Brig (retd) Nur-ul-Hassan was appointed as the chief executive.

Brig (retd) Hasan previously held the post of the Managing Director of Wasa in Rawalpindi but the general impression about his removal from the post is stated being a non-technical person. Following the termination, Brig (retd) Hasan was taken on the pool of S&GAD of the Punjab government and later was moved to Islamabad as Chief Executive of the Social Security Hospital.

It has been learnt there was no official accommodation available for the chief executive in the hospital. The medical superintendent was disgracefully ordered to vacate his office to accommodate the chief executive and later was instructed to report to head office the following day.

Victimisation now reigns the hospital and Dr Mohammad Saeed, the deputy medical superintendent who raised his voice against the unlawful appointment was shown the door the by the chief executive while the Commissioner, also happened to be a retired army officer, issued orders for the transfer of Dr Saeed to Lahore in spite of the fact that he was suffering from cervical myelopathy and had been operated for cervical surgery.

Due to post operative complications, Dr. Saeed was readmitted to the social security hospital but the non-doctor chief executive cancelled his admission stating the reason that he was not on the pool of staff of Social Security Hospital whereas rules allowed him to get treatment facilities from anywhere in Punjab.