Expressing anger over the poor disposal of medical waste in the emergency of Services Hospital (polyclinic), Minister of State for Capital Administration and Development Division (CADD) Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry suspended Casualty Medical Officer (CMO) Dr Habibur Rehman.
Chaudhry on Thursday paid a surprise visit to the hospital and suspended Rehman on account of poor disposal of medical waste in the emergency as well as his absence from the duty.
The minister of state for CADD said that bringing about revolutionary changes in the health sector is the topmost priority of the incumbent government; hence no laxity would be tolerated in this regard.
During the visit, the minister himself observed the waste disposal system and used syringe-disposal process in the emergency and expressed his dissatisfaction at the staff for not following the prescribed procedures.
He directed the hospital management to follow the best practices for waste disposal which have been tested and adopted by the world in order to avoid the spread of otherwise controllable diseases.
He visited different wards in the emergency and inquired about the health of patients and the standard of treatment provided by the hospital.
The minister directed to replenish the stock of medicines and issue tenders at the earliest for the medicines which went out of stock in the hospital pharmacy. He also directed to provide more sitting facility and clean drinking water to the patients and their attendants who visit the hospital.
Talking to the administrative staff and the doctors, the minister said that health is the priority sector of the government and the hospitals in Islamabad will be made model hospitals for the whole country. He directed them to provide best possible treatment to the patients within the available resources of the hospital.
The minister informed medical staff that the government is increasing training facilities for postgraduate doctors that will encourage the young professionals to hone their capabilities and build their career profile. Postgraduate doctors will be attached to the primary healthcare units in the suburbs of the city on additional remuneration in order to provide best healthcare facilities to the poor at their doorsteps, the minister added.