OKARA: The Young Doctors Association (YDA) on Saturday joined hands with the consultants of the DHQ City Hospital against the district health authority (DHA) for their demand to withdraw inquiry against consultant cardiologist Dr Muhammad Imran Dogar and Medical Officer (MO) Dr Asim Latif being held under the Peeda Act.

Both the medics faced action over the death of journalist Nasir Waheed in the emergency of the hospital and the health authority’s chief executive officer (CEO) had surrendered the services to the Punjab Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department and recommended proceedings against them under the Peeda Act 2006.

During a meeting at the DHQ City Hospital, YDA President Dr Awais Akram, Dr Hamza and consultant physician Dr Muhammad Shahid Dogar said the district health authority had not authority to surrender the services of the doctors to the healthcare department.

They said that in case of any charge of misconduct/inefficiency against any officer, the CEO health could only refer the case to the provincial healthcare department, without surrendering the services of officer, along with complete charge sheet of allegations, specific recommendations and preliminary inquiry report for initiate proceedings under the Peeda Act 2006.

The YDA demanded that all the doctors and staffers who attended journalist Nasir Waheed be put into isolation. It reiterated its demand that all the doctors and paramedics be provided with personal protective equipment (PPE).

A majority of male and female consultants were present at the main entrance hall of the DHQ City Hospital.

Published in Dawn, May 24th, 2020