RAWALPINDI: Railways Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed was met with public anger and protests during a visit to Holy Family Hospital (HFH) on Thursday.

Scores of people at the hospital, including patient attendants, shouted ‘Go Niazi Go’ and ‘Go Sheikh Go’ when the minister arrived to visit the dengue ward and inquire after dengue patients. He had to cut short his talk before the media and leave the premises of the hospital.

Sheikh Rashid is considered a close aide of Prime Minister Imran Khan. He visited HFH at noon to observe the hospital’s dengue ward and meet with patients.

He was accompanied by Rawalpindi Commissioner Saqib Zafar, his nephew MNA Rashid Shafique, Rawalpindi Medical University Vice Chancellor Dr Mohammad Umer and HFH medical superintendent Dr Nasir.

Sheikh Rashid told the media he has offered up his residence Lal Haveli and his farmhouse in Fatehjang to the health authorities to be used at hospitals for dengue patients.

He said special wards have been set up in hospitals, including the Railway Hospital, Red Crescent and Cantonment Hospital, for the increasing number of dengue patients.

He added that Rawalpindi’s former deputy commissioner has been suspended for not making adequate arrangements to control the spread of dengue larvae.

He said he would supervise anti-dengue arrangements himself, and would not tolerate any negligence in this regard.

Published in Dawn, September 20th, 2019