NAROWAL: A ward boy at the DHQ Hospital here allegedly attempted to sexually abuse a patient’s attendant.

Shakila Bibi, a resident of Sotia village near Narowal, was rushed to the emergency ward of the DHQ Hospital after she suddenly fell ill.

Her cousin, Muhammad Imran, said late on Sunday night, ward boy Muhammad Abrar obtained Shakila’s blood samples for a test. Later, he asked Shakila’s 15-year-old sister Samra, who was her attendant, to accompany him to the laboratory to get the test results.

Abrar, Laboratory Assistant Hammad Ali and Trainee Dispenser Muhammad Usman made Samra wait in the laboratory for 15 minutes and then took her to another room in the admin block to get the report. There he locked her up at which Samra started screaming.

Hearing her screams, the attendants of other patients and security guards gathered at the spot and broke open the door. Samra ran out screaming, while Abrar and his companions fled from the scene.

Imran claimed that when they complained about the incident to Deputy Medical Superintendent (DMS) Dr Abid Ali and other staff, they refused to cooperate and asked them to speak to Medical Superintendent (MS) Dr Muhammad Shahbaz.

When the MS was informed of the incident and legal action demanded, he told them:

“The three boys are not our employees so we cannot do anything.”

Imran said on Monday they would submit an application to the police for registration of a case.

This correspondent tried to contact DMS Dr Ali, MS Dr Shahbaz, District Health Authority Chief Executive Officer Dr Hafiz Muhammad Khalid and Deputy Commissioner Zaheer Hassan, but none of them responded to calls or messages.

ACCIDENT: Two persons were killed and seven others seriously injured when a tractor-trolley smashed into a van and a motorcycle while attempting to overtake them on New Lahore Road.

The trailer was coming to Narowal from Lahore when the accident happened near Narang China bus stop.

Motorcyclists Muhammad Javed and Muhammad Shahid died on the spot, while van passengers Muhammad Omar, Abdul Rehman, Farid Bhatti and Muhammad Qamar were among the seven injured.

Rescue 1122 rushed to the spot and shifted the injured to government hospital.

Raiya police also reached the spot and shifted the two bodies to the DHQ Hospital. According to Rescue 1122 sources, the accident occurred due to speeding.

Published in Dawn, March 2nd, 2021