Ombudsman Punjab takes notice of corruption in health department

Lahore: Ombudsman Punjab, Javed Mehmood has taken notice of the sale of refrigerator and vaccine boxes purchased for preserving the medicines of polio in Sheikhupura. He has directed Secretary Health Punjab and Director General Health Services to submit a report within one week in this regard.

Ombudsman has directed Secretary Health Punjab and Director General Health Services to mention clearly in their report that what procedure has been adopted by the Health Department for formulating list of government machinery and other equipment and items under the use of medical staff in Punjab and how the government machinery and equipment are monitored continuously by the Health Department Punjab.

Ombudsman has issued this direction on the news item published in the media in which it has been stated that the staff of Health Department of Tehsil Ferozewala District Sheikhupura has sold the refrigerator and number of vaccine boxes purchased for preserving polio drops and other medicines to a local shopkeeper.

The Ombudsman has directed Consultant Rana Amanullah Khan to enquire into the matter. Similarly, as a result of the sou moto notice taken by Ombudsman Punjab on the press clippings regarding death of seven children due to mysterious disease and gastro in Basti More Faqiran situated at the bank of River Satluj district Lodhran, Health Department has not only posted doctors and paramedical staff by setting up medical camp in local Basti but provided treatment to 240 children free of cost and vaccinated 123 children.

Ombudsman Punjab has ordered officials of Health Department to evolve a coordinated strategy for ensuring the vaccination and checking the possible outbreak of epidemics in small villages of flood affected areas and remain alert so that precious human lives could be saved.