LAHORE: Caretaker Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi ordered removal of the medical superintendent (MS) of the Jinnah Hospital, revoked the contract of parking lot for overcharging and launched an inquiry against a senior professor over his absence.

He also sought a reply from the principal on the deteriorating condition of the hospital within three days.

Mr Naqvi expressed dismay at the hospital’s condition during a visit on Tuesday.

The patients shared their concerns with Mr Naqvi, citing issues such as paint coming off the walls and ceilings, water accumulation in the basement, unavailability of free medicines and medical tests and presence of bed bugs and cockroaches. They complained against being compelled by the staff to undergo tests exclusively at a specific laboratory outside the hospital.

MS Dr Amjad Mehmood failed to provide satisfactory answers to the questions of the shortage of medicines and reliance on private labs for tests. Most of the hospital’s air-conditioners were either non-functional or were in poor condition. The CM emphasised the need for a comprehensive plan to improve the hospital’s condition.

Published in Dawn, July 5th, 2023