GUJRAT: A tug of war between the administration of the Nawaz Sharif Medical College, the University of Gujrat (UoG) and the doctors community of Aziz Bhatti Shaheed Teaching Hospital (ABSTH) has intensified further after college Principal Dr Mirajul Siraj approached the Chief Justice of Pakistan with a request to take suo motu notice of `highhandedness’ of the Young Doctors Association and the Pakistan Medical Association’s Gujrat chapters.

A delegation of the PMA and YDA led by Gujrat PMA president Dr Maqsood Zahid called on UoG VC Dr Ziaul Qayyum the other day and lodged a strong protest against the principal’s allegations.In a fresh letter addressed to the Specialized Healthcare and Medical Education Secretary, the principal of NSMC (who had earlier tendered his resignation last week which is yet to be approved), said that the YDA and PMA had consistently been interfering into administrative affairs of the college as well as its teaching hospital in the process of admissions to post-graduate courses as well as transfers, postings and fresh appointments.

Alleges interference in administrative affairs

He said that officials of these bodies would often abuse, threaten and harass teachers, professors, medical students, house officers and other doctors inside of the ABSTH. “By using different channels, they put pressure for illegal appointments, issuance of bogus and fake experience certificates for PMDC.”

He accused the YDA and PMA of forcibly closing the wards, operation theatres and stopping surgeons from doing life-saving surgeries and coercing junior doctors to protest by blocking roads for their personal gains.Dr Saud Afzal, a senior leader of the YDA and PMA Gujrat, told Dawn that their bodies were against Prof Miraj who had failed to fulfill promises he made with them regarding the recognition of MS/MD programme, autonomy for NSMC, protecting students and faculty.

He said the principal rather faced hurdles from the UOG administration. Dr Saud Afzal requested the CJP to take notice against the principal who was politicizing students for his personal interest.It is learnt that efforts are underway by the UoG vice chancellor and the Gujrat district administration to persuade Dr Siraj to withdraw his resignation.

Published in Dawn, February 8th, 2018