–Resignation letter circulating in official circles states Dr Khalil resigned over pressure by health ministry
LAHORE: In yet another twisted episode, a resignation letter issued in the name of Mayo Hospital Medical Superintendent (MS) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dr Tahir Khalil stated that he has resigned after being pressurised by the health ministry to pay a hefty sum, but on Sunday the hospital official himself issued a stark refusal.
The resignation letter issued on May 18 read, “It is stated that I am working as the chief operating officer/medical superintendent at Mayo Hospital, Lahore. I am being pressurised by the health minister and secretary health to pay Rs2 million monthly (income from cycle stand, CSH pharmacy and all canteens inside the hospital). I have already been suspended by the Punjab chief minister last month due to non-compliance with this order but was later reinstated after agreeing to fulfil their demands. In these circumstances, I am unable to continue my services under extreme stress.”
On Sunday, Dr Khalil, while speaking to this scribe, rejected the authenticity of the resignation letter. “This is a fake resignation letter and I have already reported it to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA). The agency is investigating the issue and will soon find the culprit behind this,” he said.
It is worth mentioning that in March, Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar had paid a surprise visit to Mayo Hospital where he met patients and their attendants in the emergency ward and inspected the medical facilities as well. He also took immediate action on the mismanagement and negligence of the hospital staff after the patients and their attendants told him about their grievances. The chief minister also suspended Dr Khalil under Punjab Employees Efficiency, Discipline and Accountability (PEEDA) Act for being negligent in his duties and mismanagement on his account.
Sources told this scribe that the senior faculty of the King Edward Medical University and Mayo Hospital had demanded Dr Khalil’s replacement last year after they brought issues pertaining to his incompetence to light.
