Punjab govt suspends two over negligence in Rahim Yar Khan sexual harassment case

LAHORE: In the light of a report submitted by an inquiry committee, Punjab government has suspended two medical college officials over their “negligence” in a sexual harassment case at a Rahim Yar Khan hospital, ARY News reported.

According to details, Secretary Health Punjab suspended Principal Shaikh Zayed Medical College Rahim Yar Khan and Medical Superintendent Shaikh Zayed Hospital for their incompetence after an incident of sexual assault on a lady doctor took place in the hospital’s premises.

“Principal, Professor Doctor Mubarik Ali and MS, Dr. Ghulam Rabani were preliminary found negligent and inefficient in an incident of alleged harassment of Women Medical Officer at Shaikh Zayed Hospital RY Khan,” reads a notification issued in this regard.

Earlier this week, the doctors  at the hospital had said one their female colleague was alone in a room when a sweeper tried to overpower her. She cried to alert the security guards around and succeeded to save herself. Guards held the suspect and handed him over to the police.

Punjab Health Minster Dr. Yasmin Rashid had taken strict notice of the said incident and an Inquiry committee was constituted which submitted his report and findings on Saturday.

“Further departmental action would be taken against suspend officers” said minister health.

“Harassment of doctors in general and lady doctors in particular would not be tolerated. An FIR has been lodged against the accused and he has been locked up since the incident happened,” said Dr Yasmeen Rashid.

She, however,  regretted that “after prompt action by health department there was no room for strike and creating problems for patients”.