Daily Times

The inquiry committee constituted by Health Department on January 31, in pursuance of the directions of the Sindh High Court (SHC) in CP No. 5620 of 2019, under the chairmanship of Director General, Health Services, Sindh, with two other members including Dr. Aijaz Khanzada and Dr. Sikandar Ali Memon, has found responsible former CMCH Medical Superintendent (MS) Dr Muhammad Sharif Panhwar (BPS-20), (who has retired), Chief Medical Officer Dr. Rabail Noonari and Additional Medical Superintendent Dr. Muhammad Saleem Shaikh both in BPS-19 for administrative mismanagement observed at the time of arrival of dog bitten patient 5-year Master Hasnain son of Ghulam Hussain Bughio on 14.11.2019 who later on succumbed to death at National Institute of Child Health (NICH), Karachi, 28 days later on 12.12.2019.

On the basis of inquiry report, Health Secretary, Government of Sindh, Zahid Ali Abbasi, has recommended disciplinary actions in a note for Chief Secretary, Sindh (copy of which was sent to this scribe through social media). The note said that the “Inquiry Committee constituted in pursuance of the directions of Sindh High Court in CP No. 5620 of 2019 filed by M. Tariq Mansoor advocate versus Province of Sindh and the health department constituted an inquiry committee vide notification dated 31.1.2020 to probe into the matter under prescribed TORs. The enquiry committee enquired the matter and submitted findings and recommendations pointing out administrative loopholes and lacunae for the hospital. The enquiry committee has fixed responsibility on three doctors for administrative mismanagement observed at the time of arrival of the patient Master Hasnain son of Ghulam Hussain Bughio on 14.11.2019 who later on expired at National Institute of Child Health (NICH), Karachi, on 12.12.2019, 28 days after admission. These doctors include Dr. Muhammad Sharif Panhwar (retired on 02.3.2020), former Medical Superintendent (BPS-20), Chandka Medical College Hospital (CMCH), Larkana. Dr. Rabail Noonari, Chief Medical Officer (BPS-19), CMCH and Dr. Muhammad Saleem Shaikh, Additional Medical Superintendent (BPS-19), CMCH. In this context, court has directed to furnish report before hearing on 19.3.2020 as to what action has been taken against the responsible, the note added. Keeping in view the report of enquiry committee, Abbasi further wrote, Regulation Wing has been requested to solicit opinion as to what action can be taken against Dr. Panhwar who has retired on 02.03.2020. In the meantime, the note added, considering the report of enquiry committee and SHC orders, it is proposed that the services of two other doctors may be placed under suspension and strict disciplinary proceedings may be initiated for negligence and misconduct. In this context, draft show cause notices under Civil Servants (E&D) Rules 1973 have been prepared for approval and signature of Chief Secretary, Sindh. The health minister has already singed the note and it is pending before Chief Secretary for approval, after which two doctors Rabail Noonari and Saleem Shaikh will be issued Show Cause notices.”

Sources alleged that no action has been suggested by the committee against the failure of NICH authorities who could not save the previous life of the dog bitten boy where the child remained admitted for 28 days and he also expired there but the boy was brought at CMCH, sources further added, in critical injured condition and he remained there just for three hours after which he was rushed to Karachi through an ambulance. These sources further claimed that ToRs prepared by the Health Department were also one-sided which showed that the relevant authorities wanted to save NICH authorities for their sheer negligence.