NAROWAL: Solar panels on the rooftop of the Government Allama Iqbal Memorial Teaching Hospital, Sialkot, were damaged as a tree being cut by the staff fell on them, suspending the power supply to the hospital on Thursday.

The hospital staff cut a tall tree next to the building that housed surgical wards without taking any safety measures. The tree fell on the solar panels worth millions of rupees.

According to eyewitnesses, the hospital employees had not taken any safety measures before cutting the tree as the solar panels could be removed before launching the process.

Medical Superintendent Dr Muhammad Ilyas said the tree was damaging the building and it was necessary to cut it. He said more than 20 people were involved in felling the tree.

He said an inquiry had been launched to find out those responsible for the incident.

Published in Dawn, April 26th, 2024