ABBOTTABAD: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Health Minister Shaukat Yousafzai on Sunday suspended five doctors of Ayub Teaching Hospital (AMC) for dereliction of duty.

The minister ordered suspension of radiologist Dr Babar, pathologist Dr Slaeem, Dr Sher Ayub, Dr Samreen Shamil and acting deputy medical superintendent Dr Ihsan during his visit to the hospital.

However, he showed satisfaction over the performance of emergency department and the cleanliness situation in the hospital. He also talked to some of the patients who told him about the improvements being made in emergency section of the complex besides free availability of medicines.

On the complaint of relatives of a patient that the on call female doctor was not showing up for her duty, Mr Yousufzai directed the AMC chief executive for taking action against her. When the minister asked Dr Ihsan to clarify the situation about the absent doctors he told him he was not aware of the absence of doctors from duty. The minister also ordered his suspension for showing non-seriousness during his duty.

Mr Yousufzai also visited the Ayub Teaching Hospital and district headquarters hospital and checked the facilities as well as availability of doctors and staff there.

On the request of an elderly woman, the minister went to the blood bank at the ATH and arranged blood for her ailing relative.

Later, talking to mediapersons, Mr Yousufzai said that health and education were no more neglected areas and the PTI-led provincial government would ensure smooth service delivery to patients. He appreciated the role of management council and said that it had been playing effective role in improving hospital services.