RAHIM YAR KHAN: The health authorities have suspended from service Shaikh Zayed Medical College Hospital Principal Prof Dr Mubarak Ali Chaudhry and Medical Superintendent Dr Ghulam Rabbani following an incident of rape attempt on a doctor by a sweeper.

The Secretary Specialised Healthcare and Medical Education Department issued a notification No. S.O (AMI-I) 5-185/2016/SZMC of the principal’s suspension on Friday. The action has been taken “on account of inefficiency under section 6 of the Punjab Employees Discipline and Accountability Act 2006.”

The notification said Dr Abdul Rehman, professor of pathology (BS-20), had been assigned look after charge of the post of the principal till further orders.

MS Dr Ghulam Rabbani has also been suspended under Section 6 of PEEDA Act 2006 and Assistant Medical Superintendent Dr Khalid Mehmood has been given the additional charge.

The Young Doctors Association (YDA) protested in hospitals in many parts of the province and demanded legislation in the Punjab Assembly for the protection of doctors, nurses and other paramedics. The doctors suspended their work in the OPDs.

Dr Shabbir Warraich alleged that the principal and MS pressured the lady doctor to deny the incident of sexual assault attempt. Dr Abdul Majid (anesthesia) and Dr Shazia Majid (gynae) denied any such pressure by the principal and MS.

FAISALABAD: The strike in the OPDs of the Allied and DHQ hospitals added to the woes of the poor patients who came there from far-flung areas on Saturday.

These two infirmaries treat thousands of people from Faisalabad, Jhang, Chiniot, Toba Tek Singh, Sargodha, Mianwali, Khushab and other districts of Punjab daily.

Mohammad Latif, a rickshaw driver, did not join his duty for his medical checkup at the Allied Hospital. He remained unsuccessful as the doctors at the OPD refused to check him and others.

Another patient, Aslam Bhatti, a resident of Samanabad, said the doctors had been demanding security from the government.

BAHAWALPUR: The medical officers of the Bahawal Victoria Hospital (BVH) observed strike to protest against the alleged rape attempt on a woman medical officer in Rahim Yar Khan.

The medical officers (MOs) stopped working and demanded action against the perpetrator. They urged the government to take measures to ensure there is no such incident in future.

Hundreds of patients faced a great deal of inconvenience and most of them were forced to return without their examination and treatment by the doctors.

BVH Medical Superintendent Dr Azizur Rehman said it was a token strike for one hour.

SARGODHA: The young doctors observed strike and closed the OPD of the DHQ teaching hospital.

People who had come from far and wide faced trouble for being denied treatment.

YDA chairman Dr Usman Imtiaz and President Dr Wajid Ali Kanju said they observed strike to express their indignation at Rahim Yar Khan incident and would close all the units of hospitals across the province till the assurance of full protection to the doctors.

TOBA TEK SINGH: On the call of the Punjab Young Doctors Association, strike was observed in the DHQ and other hospitals.

The protesters holding placards inscribed with their demands sought immediate measures to ensure workplace safety.

Published in Dawn, September 23rd, 2018