RAWALPINDI, May 8: Chief Minister Punjab Sardar Dost Mohammad Khosa on Thursday ordered suspension of the Rawalpindi General Hospital (RGH) medical superintendent (MS) and medical officer (MO) for mismanagement and poor healthcare facilities.

During a surprise visit to the hospital he said the mismanagement might put patients life at risk and ordered inquiry.

Medical Superintendent RGH, Dr Habib Ahmed Khan has been replaced by Dr Muhammad Hussain Baloch. Besides the MS, medical officer Dr Naeem who reportedly had an exchange of hot words with a patient during CM’s visit was also suspended.

Earlier, the chief minister Punjab paid an unscheduled visit to the New Town police station.

On reaching the hospital, the chief minister found the reception counter ‘unattended’ and duty official in another room. Later the CM went into the Casualty Medical Officer’s (CMO’s) room, surgical and medical wards and inquired from the patients about the health care being provided to them by the hospital.

The CM also inspected the emergency ward, looked some rusted instruments. The CM expressed displeasure over the poor sanitary condition and other facilities being provided by the hospital administration in emergency ward.

The CM went to each patient in the emergency ward and talked to them. Around 75 per cent of the patients complained about poor healthcare facilities being provided by the hospital and informed the CM that they were being forced to purchase medicines and syringes from the market.

The CM also took notice of rude behaviour of the duty doctor and expressed his concern. “If this is the situation in my presence, then what would be the situation when I will not be here,” the CM said in his comments.

Earlier, the CM visited the New Town police station where he inspected the lockup and checked the crime rate in the circle. The CM expressed his concern over the rise in car theft, purse and mobile snatching incidents whose number was higher than the previous year.

The CM directed the Deputy Superintendent of Police and the Station House Officer to check the vehicle theft and purse snatching incidents.

Punjab Chief Minister said that all the financial and technical requirements of the police department would be met on top priority basis so that they could provide protection to the public’s life and property.