GUJRAT: The principal of nursing and midwifery school of the Aziz Bhatti Shaheed Teaching Hospital (ABSTH), Shahnaz Akhtar, has been removed in the light of the findings of an inquiry into the alleged rape of a student of the institution by a watchman last week.

Safia Khanum, the instructor general of the school, has now been given “look-after charge” of the institute, whereas Ms Akhtar has been relieved and her services have been put at the disposal of the specialised healthcare and medical education secretary with immediate effect.

Deputy Commissioner Dr Khurram Shahzad had constituted a three-member committee comprising senior officers of the district health department to probe into the matter soon after the incident was reported to the police.

The committee in its report recommended the removal of the principal, besides appointment of supporting male staff of above-50 years of age at the school and its hostels. It also sugested same age for the male staff of the lady doctors hostel.

The district administration has also ordered strict security measures for the protection of female students.

Though the police have already lodged a case against the suspect, he is still at large.

The family of the student who had been raped demanded justice.

Published in Dawn, February 21st, 2019