KARACHI, March 22: Provincial Minister for Population Welfare Dr Saeeda Malik has ordered action against eight employees of the reproductive health services centre of the Sindh Government Sobhraj Hospital, who were found absent from duties during her visit to the hospital on Saturday.

She expressed dissatisfaction over the staff’s performance, saying that presence of only two employees out of 10 exposed the functioning of the centre and the interest of the incharge doctor with her work.

The minister wrote her remarks against the names of the employees in the attendance register and also expressed displeasure over the cleanliness situation at the centre.

Dr Malik inspected the medicines being given to women and inquired about their complaints. They requested her to also visit the Sobhraj Hospital and inquire about women patients’ problems.

The patients complained of unavailability of medicines on which the minister assured them of full cooperation, adding that concerned authorities would be asked for supply of the drugs.

The minister was surprised to know that there was no airconditioner in the operation theatre of the labour room. She was told that many letters had been sent to concerned authorities in this regard but to no avail.

She expressed displeasure over non-coordination between the hospital’s doctors and those working for family planning and directed them to develop coordination and work for women’s welfare.—PPI