SARGODHA: The Anti-Corruption Establishment (ACE) on Friday booked three doctors of the Noorpur Thal THQ Hospital and a manager and cashier of a private bank over alleged embezzlement of public funds by opening a fake account, construction in hospital premises through substandard material and purchase of medicines on low rates.

ACE Sargodha Regional Director Babar Rehman said that a preliminary inquiry revealed that in 2018, a purchase committee had been constituted in Noorpur Thal THQ Hospital in Khushab district under the supervision of former medical superintendent, Dr Javed Mumtaz.

The committee was alleged to have embezzled a huge amount by purchasing medicines on cheaper rates and substandard medical equipment through contractors of their choice.

Dr Mumtaz allegedly with the connivance of manager of a private bank, Tanveer Ahmad, and cashier Mushtaq Ahmad opened an account in the name of Tasawwur Abbas and deposited the embezzled amount worth Rs3.9 million in that account and later withdrew it.

A first information report was lodged with the ACE here and its Sargodha Assistant Director Muhammad Khurram Anwaar and Khushab Assistant Director Atif Shaukat arrested on Friday former medical officer of the hospital, Dr Aleem Haider; Quality Insurance Officer Dr Adnan Tayyab, pharmacist Fida Hussain, manager Tanveer Ahmad and cashier Mushtaq Ahmad.

Raids were being conducted to arrest the remaining suspects.

POLIO CAMPAIGN: Deputy Commissioner Abdullah Nayyar Sheikh while reviewing the performance of polio teams directed the health, revenue and all line departments to focus on all transit exits and ensure administration of polio vaccine to zero-dose children.

He issued instructions about going to slum areas as well as gypsy settlements in the city and rural areas to build credibility. He said polio teams should use all means, including moral, religious and social influence, to administer polio vaccine to children and despite that if anyone created hindrance or avoided vaccination they must be dealt with severely.

The DC directed the revenue staff to maintain surveillance of the activities of polio teams in the district.

Published in Dawn, February 22nd, 2020