SWABI, Jan 22: The Swabi Union of Journalists staged a demonstration in protest against closure of the operating-theatre in the district headquarters hospital since Jan 13. The SUJ was extended support by the members of Abaseen Union of Journalists (AUJ).

Former patron-in-chief of the AUJ Haji Wali Mohammad and president of SUJ Sahahwali and other members of the two unions delivered speeches on Saturday regarding the situation at the hospital.

The operating theatre was closed down by the hospital administration in protest when the executive district officer, Health, conducted appendix operations of hepatitis-C pat-ients and contaminated instruments. The hospital administration declared that the executive district officer did not get permission from the hospital administration and violated its rules.

The demonstrators said that the officials concerned had failed to take remedial measures despite the operation theatre remaining closed for more than a week.

They said that the suffering of the ailing community continued unabated but the management of the hospital was not in a position to declare as to when the operating theatre would be reopened.