10 health officials face dismissal over graft
An inquiry into alleged irregularities in the procurement of medicines during the caretaker government's tenure in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa's Health Department has been completed.
Chief Minister Ali Amin Khan Gandapur has issued show-cause notices to 10 senior officials under the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Efficiency and Discipline Rules, 2011, accusing them of incompetence, mismanagement, and corruption.
Each of the accused officials faces dismissal from service and recovery of over Rs170 million individually. According to the official notice, the investigation against these officials — including a former Director General of Health Services, an Additional Director General, a former Director of Public Health.
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Express Tribune
2 days ago
- Express Tribune
10 health officials face dismissal over graft
An inquiry into alleged irregularities in the procurement of medicines during the caretaker government's tenure in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa's Health Department has been completed. Chief Minister Ali Amin Khan Gandapur has issued show-cause notices to 10 senior officials under the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Efficiency and Discipline Rules, 2011, accusing them of incompetence, mismanagement, and corruption. Each of the accused officials faces dismissal from service and recovery of over Rs170 million individually. According to the official notice, the investigation against these officials — including a former Director General of Health Services, an Additional Director General, a former Director of Public Health.
Express Tribune
4 days ago
- Express Tribune
'Nursing hospitals not meeting standards'
A parliamentary panel was told on Monday that fifteen medical colleges were registered without any inspection during the PTI's rule while none of the 55 nursing colleges recently visited by the health secretary were eligible for accreditation. Minister of State for National Health Services Dr Malik Mukhtar Ahmad Bharath informed the National Assembly Standing Committee on National Health that 55 nursing colleges were recently visited. "According to the report [submitted by the health secretary], not a single college was found eligible for accreditation. A detailed report is being prepared by the Pakistan Nursing Council," he added. During the committee meeting, chaired by Mahesh Malani, Abdul Qadir Patel authorized Dr Shazia Sobia to discuss the Pharmacy Bill on his behalf. Patel said as soon as the PPP came into power, it transferred the authority related to the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) to the provinces so they could conduct their own tests. "However, the provinces were not prepared at the time, which is why tests could not be conducted immediately. We want the provinces to carry out their own enlistments," he said. The committee chairman referred to the complaints from students of Al-Nafees Medical College regarding non-registration. Dr Bharath reiterated that 15 medical colleges were registered during the PTI's term without inspection, and their cases have been sent to the Federal Investigation Agency. The executive director of the National Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine (NIRM) told the panel that the institute had now started surgeries for correcting clubfoot in children. "NIRM has a medical budget of Rs40 million, which is very low. Due to this, patients often have to purchase medicines. However, we ensure that epilepsy medications are never out of stock," he said. The committee expressed concerns over the inadequate medicine budget and emphasized that it should be increased. It announced plans to visit the institute and make recommendations to the government. In Punjab, medicines are provided free of charge through the health cards system but even poor patients in some areas are forced to purchase them. It was suggested that Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal should be used to provide medicines to deserving patients. RAYZA KHAN
Express Tribune
26-05-2025
- Express Tribune
Residents protest health teams' markings on homes
Residents of Rawalpindi and cantonment areas have expressed their frustration over the actions of anti-polio and dengue surveillance teams, who have been marking identification numbers on doors, windows, walls, signboards, and PVC pipes of residential and commercial buildings. These markings, often made with permanent black markers, have significantly defaced the exterior of properties, damaging their aesthetic appeal. The practice has sparked widespread outcry, particularly from homeowners who have spent large sums on painting and maintaining their properties. In response, the Human Rights Cell of the District Bar Association has announced plans to challenge the issue in the High Court, calling for the establishment of a proper mechanism that preserves property appearance while allowing for health monitoring. Many residents complain that their homes are repeatedly marked during monthly visits by polio, dengue, and lady health workers, leaving behind a trail of unsightly codes and numbers. This has led to mounting tensions, with reports of verbal altercations between citizens and health teams. The presence of women in these teams has occasionally led to confrontational encounters with male family members. Despite the backlash, the Health Department has no formal system to regulate or monitor this process. According to insiders, senior officials have directly instructed teams to ensure markings are clearly visibletypically using permanent inkwithout considering the damage done to personal property. These marks are difficult to remove and have marred the appearance of nearly every home in the city and the cantonment. Citizens are now urging the Health Department to develop an alternative systemsuch as maintaining written records with homeowner verification through signatures, thumb impressions, or CNIC copiesinstead of using permanent markers on buildings. Malik Saleh Advocate, head of the District Bar Association's Human Rights Cell, emphasised that it is the state's duty to provide services without violating citizens' rights or damaging their homes. "No institution has the authority to deface cities like this," he said, announcing that a formal petition will be filed with the Rawalpindi Bench of the High Court this week. Chairman of the Citizen Action Committee, Malik Zaheer Awan, also vowed to join the legal challenge. He argued that by writing on private property, municipal and health authorities are lowering the value of homes and causing distress rather than delivering public service. Residents like Ibrahim Khan have taken a firm stance, vowing not to allow anyone to mark their homes again. "Whoever writes on my property will be responsible for the damage," he warned. Sultan Mehmood, another homeowner, expressed similar frustration. "No matter how many times I repaint my doors, they're always defaced again the next day."
