SWABI: The employees of the District Headquarters Hospital, Swabi, on Wednesday demanded the transfer of the medical superintendent for what they said failing to run the health facility ‘smoothly’.

They made the demand at a protest meeting held on the premises of the hospital.

Fazal Hakeem, divisional president of paramedics’ association, Nadeem Shah, president of Swabi Action Committee, Fateha Ali, president of DHQ hospital paramedics’ association, and PTI leaders were in attendance.

They demanded action against MS Dr Noor Islam for ‘multiplying’ problems of the staff.

On the occasion, Fazal Hakeem claimed the MS had failed to run the hospital smoothly and created one hurdle after other due to ‘wrong’ policies and priorities.

Jehanzeb Khan, Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf’s Swabi tehsil president, assured the protesting employees that their demand would be met. “I have contacted MNA Asad Qaiser, who has sought a week’s time to resolve the matter,” he said.

When contacted, MS Dr Noor Islam told Dawn by phone that he strived hard to ensure smooth functioning of the hospital, but the employees, who were asked to perform their duty, turned against him and started protesting.

Dr Islam, who is a cardiologist, said recently when the provincial health secretary made a surprise visit to the hospital and went to the dental section, and while checking the register he found that seven doctors had treated only one patient during the entire day.

Published in Dawn, May 16th, 2024