LAHORE: Massive embezzlement has been unearthed regarding purchase of medicines, medical equipments and withdrawal of money through bogus bills in the office of District Officer Health (DOH) Gujranwala. Former Gujranwala DOH Dr Mahjabeen Qamar, accountant Muhammad lqbal and storekeeper Sabir Ali have been found guilty of misappropriating funds and withdrawal of millions of rupees through bogus bills. Well informed sources privy to this development said that the Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department had constituted a two-member inquiry committee, which included Gujranwala Medical College (GMC) Principle Prof Dr Aftab Mohsin and GMC finance director, to probe the wrongdoings by these officials. Inquiry report stated that the bills of general store items amounting to Rs 1 million were passed for payment. However, store items amounting to only Rs 0.2 million were physically found and verified while remaining store items amounting to Rs 800,000 were neither found in the store nor verified during the enquiry proceedings. The medicines amounting to Rs 35 million during 2011-12 were procured from different firms against which an amount of Rs 17.052,901 million was drawn from the government treasury against bogus bills/invoices. Stock entries were found in record but such medicines were neither received by the DOH Office Gujranwala nor physically found in the store. Hence, it is established that only paperwork was done for bogus/fake drawl of government money with the connivance of then DDO and Dr Mahjabeen Qamar along with her supporting staff. The inquiry further stated that 68 cartons of medicine ‘Nadoxin 550 mg tab’ were supplied by the Aneeb Pharmaceuticals on October 9, 2012, while as per DHO record, the medicines were received on June 11, 2012, hence pointing towards variation in the date of supply. The medicines supplied by Pharmawise and Medecéena were also not received, as the verification report of physical inspection committee, comprising three doctors, revealed that the medicines had not been physically found in the store. The office record of DOH Gujranwala revealed that supply orders of medicines were issued during 2011-12 whereas the medicines were received during 2012-13. During the Financial Year 2010-11, 60 ultrasound scanners were purchased by DOH Gujranwala out of which 23 ultrasound scanners were found in the store even after the lapse of three-and-a-half years. It would be presumed that scanners would now be out of date. Moreover, warranty cards/SOPs of these scanners were also not available in the office record, pointing out that purchases were made without immediate requirement and in violation of law. The committee, after conducting inquiry, submitted that the abovementioned charges levelled against these accused officials stood proved and recommended imposition of minor penalty against the accused officers. On the receipt of inquiry report’s recommendations, the chief minister appointed Punjab Medical Faculty Secretary Dr Irshadul Haq Usmani as the hearing officer in this regard. The chief minister, after due examination of inquiry and hearing reports in exercise of powers under section 13 (5) (ii) of the PEEDA Act, 2006, has imposed minor plenty of censure upon all the accused with immediate effect.