FAISALABAD: An inquiry committee found the recently posted DHQ Hospital medical superintendent (MS) guilty of manhandling a lady doctor and snatching a camera from her during a previous posting, but recommended only censure as penalty for him and transfer of the complainant doctor.

Dr Ayesha Qaiser, a dental surgeon, had submitted an application with the deputy commissioner (DC) alleging that Dr Asif Hameed Saleemi, while previously serving as the MS of the General Hospital in Haseeb Shaheed Colony, had snatched her camera and mobile phone on April 17 and also roughed her up. The DC had formed a two-member committee comprising Deputy Director Development Syed Naveed Iqbal and Additional Deputy Commissioner (Headquarters) Afifa Shajia.

Dr Qaiser’s allegations included creation of non-conducive environment in the hospital, misbehaviour with her and use of harsh words, provoking patients to complain against her to create embarrassment for her and subsequently Senior Medical Officer (SMO) Dr Khalil disrespecting her in front of patients as well as 11 other witnesses.

She alleged that she was issued death threats by some criminals who followed her, and the issue was communicated to Dr Saleemi, but he did not pay any heed. She also claimed the hospital environment was based on favouritism.

In pursuance of the Protection Against Harassment of Women at the Workplace Act 2010, the committee had asked Dr Saleemi to respond to the allegations. It said the inquiry was under way when another incident took place at the hospital on April 17 when Dr Qaiser tried to make videos of the staff/doctors while they were marking their attendance.

She was on casual leave till April 18, but visited the hospital carrying a handy cam. Dr Saleemi snatched her camera and mobile, which was returned to her by the hospital staff later. The committee findings stated that Dr Saleemi snatched the camera and mobile as it was evident that first he stood before her and argued, but she did not respond.

“Action of snatching the camera/mobile of Dr Ayesha by MS is beyond norms of morality.”

In its observations on the conduct of Dr Qaiser, the committee said she was on casual leave for six days (April 13 to 18), however, she joined her duty without getting her leave cancelled. She was making videos of the hospital staff, including female doctors, continuously since April 14. Dr Saleemi asked her to refrain from this illegal practice, and on non-compliance, the incident of snatching happened.

“Dr Ayesha is a dental surgeon and it is not her job to check the attendance of the staff without the permission of the authority. Patient complaints were also received against her, which were dealt by the hospital administration.”

The committee mentioned that the allegations levelled against the MS did not come under the purview of the Code of Conduct for Protection Against Harassment of Women at Workplace Act 2010. Hence, Dr Saleemi could not be proceeded against under its provisions. However, his act of snatching the camera and mobile from Dr Qaiser was highly unethical, which could be construed as highhandedness or mistreatment of a female colleague at the workplace.

“Every institution, especially hospitals, where gender-mixing cannot be avoided demands a certain level of responsibility and caution from the persons working at that place to maintain its sanctity which has been violated in the instant case to a certain level. Therefore, Dr Saleemi may be censured and directed in very explicit words to remain careful in future and a warning may be issued to him in writing.”

It recommended that Dr Qaiser may be surrendered to the competent authority for further adjustment to some other station immediately to maintain a workable environment in the hospital.

Published in Dawn, August 13th, 2020