In a shocking breach of trust and protocol, a surprise inspection at the District Headquarters (DHQ) Hospital in Bhakkar uncovered a deeply troubling practice. Three individuals posing as doctors were found treating patients, while the actual, government-appointed physicians were absent from their duties for an extended period.
Surprise Visit Exposes Long-Running Scam
The alarming situation came to light during an unannounced visit by Deputy Commissioner Bhakkar, Ehsan Ali Jamali. His inspection revealed that three official doctors were not present at the hospital, despite continuing to receive their full salaries from the public treasury. The absent doctors were identified as Dr Hissam Aziz, Dr Waseem, and Dr Hassan Ali.
Investigations suggested that these doctors were allegedly running their own private clinics elsewhere. To cover their tracks at the public hospital, they had hired substitute individuals on daily wages. These substitutes, who were not qualified or authorized to practice medicine, were reportedly paid only a small portion of the actual doctors' salaries.
Administrative Failure and Patient Risk
Hospital sources indicated that this fraudulent arrangement had been ongoing for a considerable time. It was further alleged that the Medical Superintendent (MS) of DHQ Hospital was aware of the malpractice but failed to intervene or report it. This pointed to a severe breakdown in administrative controls, including attendance monitoring and internal supervision.
The most critical concern raised was that of patient safety. The individuals acting as doctors were not registered medical practitioners, meaning patients were receiving treatment from unqualified personnel. Officials admitted that the issue might have persisted indefinitely had the deputy commissioner not conducted his surprise check.
Swift Action and Official Response
Deputy Commissioner Jamali expressed strong displeasure over the findings. He took immediate action by forwarding recommendations for legal and departmental proceedings against the responsible individuals to the Secretary Health of Punjab. To ensure a thorough probe, he also tasked the assistant commissioner with conducting a detailed inquiry to fix responsibility and examine all facets of the case.
Administrative experts have weighed in, stating that employing unauthorized substitutes constitutes a clear violation of government rules. They highlighted that this act not only represents a potential misuse of public funds but also recklessly endangers patients' lives. Despite attempts to seek a statement, the Medical Superintendent of DHQ Hospital could not be reached for comment.
This incident in Bhakkar has exposed glaring loopholes in the healthcare system's accountability mechanisms, prompting calls for stricter oversight to protect public health and resources.
