(City): CS notices two CMCH doctors for misconduct

Larkana:The Chief Secretary, Government of Sindh, Mumtaz Ali Shah, being authorized officer, has finally issued show-cause notices to two doctors of Chandka Medical College Hospital (CMCH), Larkana, through Services, General Administration and Coordination Department i.e. Dr. Muhammad Saleem Shaikh, Additional Medical Superintendent (BS-19) and Dr. Rabail Noonari, Chief Medical Officer (BS-19) who have been found involved in misconduct in performing their government duties during treatment of dog-bitten 6-year old Master Hasnain son of Ghulam Hussain Bughio, resident of Habib Bughio village, Larkana. He was shifted to CMCH on November 14, 2019, where after initial treatment was rushed to Karachi. The child succumbed to injuries in the National Institute of Child Health (NICH) after 28 days.

After his death, an inquiry committee was constituted which observed that “very weak data management system was observed, bio data of vital signs, general examination, description of injuries, treatment given and referral process was not recorded on the data tool. “No Consultant except the maxillofacial surgeon had attended the patient”. “Only MLOs/SMOs working in sub-specialities had attended the case”.

“No Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) were observed during the management including the infection prevention protocols”. “The first aid management was given in the Casualty in presence of mob of irrelevant persons including media persons. Most of the time the doctors, media personnel and other people including the relatives of the patient were found discussing referral of the case to Karachi”. “The stock register was not maintained as a valid stock record”.

“The Immunoglobulin for Rabies was shown without the date of expiry and batch number”. “Sources of receiving and delivery were not properly documented”. “Duty roaster and record of leave not maintained”. “Consultant roaster indicating the responsible specialist for the subject on the emergency duty was not available”. “Reconstruction surgical departments like plastic surgery and vascular surgery were not available”.

Both the doctors have been called upon to show cause within seven days as to why action as described under Rule-4 of the Sindh Civil Servants (Efficiency and Discipline) Rules 1973 should not be taken against them on the grounds given above.

It must be mentioned here that both the doctors were suspended by S and GACD vide their order dated 18th March, 2020 and were also directed to report to Health Department but this order was allegedly either not received or not served on them for ulterior motives which need to be probed. The Health Department has also directed the CMCH Medical Superintendent now vide its letter dated 15th September 2020 to relieve these doctors with immediate effect for taking further necessary action.