The medical superintendent (MS) of Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, Dr Waqar Nabi Bajwa, was suspended on the order of Punjab Health Secretary Jawwad Rafique Malik two days ago.
Dr Bajwa was sacked for participating in a farewell event organised on the retirement of a head nurse where some junior staff had danced to music.
A nurse from the hospitals’ neurosurgical ward, who participated in that function, told Pakistan Today on condition of anonymity that there was no show of vulgarity at the event. “The function was arranged to pay tribute to our outgoing head nurse. And dance is a common practice in our culture on such occasions,” she added.
She further said that nurses find few moments of enjoyment during their hectic routine and that function was one such event.
Another nurse from the Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) ward told Pakistan Today that she had contributed Rs 300 for the event but she could not participate because of her day-off. “I watched the footage of that dance while sitting in my home,” she said on the condition of anonymity, adding that in her view dance performance was not necessary in that event, keeping in view the decorum of the hospital.
A nurse from the eye ward criticised the decision of the MS’s removal, saying the suspension of the MS on a petty issue was not good for the hospital. She said, “Someone among us gave the video of that party to the media and the government removed him in haste. That was an unwise decision.”
Dr Abid, the president of the Young Doctors’ Association (YDA) at the Ganga Ram Hospital, told Pakistan Today that in his personal view, the MS should not have been sacked. However he hastened to add that the MS could have avoided that event.
YDA General Secretary Dr Umar said the event was the worst of its type in the history of hospital. He was of the view that the government had taken a timely initiative by suspending the MS.
“Whenever we have to arrange such functions, we try to organise them outside, keeping in view the welfare of the patients,” he said.
Assistant Medical Superintendent Dr Abdul Basit has been given additional charge of MS since Bajwa’s expulsion. The sacked MS was not available for comments despite repeated attempts.