News Desk |
A general surgeon and associated professor at the Khyber Teaching Hospital suffered a head injury and was rendered unconscious, he blamed Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Health Minister, Hisham Inamullah, and his guards for beating him on Tuesday.
KP Health Minister Dr. Hisham Inamullah Khan countered these allegations by stating he was attacked by the young doctor’s association, while another official of the health department blamed the surgeon for attacking the minister when he arrived at the Khyber Teaching Hospital for his scheduled meeting on the policy boards of medical institutes.
On Wednesday, doctors have announced their decision to boycott all outpatient departments (OPD) in hospitals throughout KPK in response to the alleged torture suffered by general surgeon and Associate Professor Dr. Zia Uddin Afridi at the hands of the KP Health Minister.
The administration of the Khyber Training Hospital has banned the entry of Dr. Zia Uddin into the facility, which has triggered a protest by doctors, leading to the suspension of medical facilities at the institution.
The KP Doctor’s Council has put forward its demands, of which the very first demand is to launch an FIR against KP Health Minister Hisham Inamullah Khan for the alleged beating of Dr. Zia Uddin. On the other hand, KP Health Minister claims that Dr. Zia Uddin egged Professor Nausherwan Burki, the cousin of Prime Minister Imran Khan and renowned practitioner who has been visiting Pakistan once every month from the US since 2013 to bring healthcare reforms.
What Really Happened?
KP Health Minister Hisham Inamullah Khan states that when he reached the hospital, he was attacked by the young doctors and his bodyguards managed to save him, while professor Burki was egged by Dr. Zia Uddin Afridi.
Dr. Zia Uddin Afridi, an assistant professor at the surgical ward in Khyber Teaching Hospital, addressed the media and explained that he was seized by Health Minister KP Hisham Khan and his adviser Dr. Jawad Wasif, along with armed guards and policemen. He said, “The Minister began abusing me, and he tried to hit me twice but I managed to stop him. Then, his guards, using the butts of their guns, began to thrash me.”
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Dr. Afridi stated that despite his pleadings for the thrashing to stop, the guards did not listen to him and continued beating him until he was rendered unconscious. Later, he was taken to the operation theatre.
An hour before the incident occurred, Dr. Afridi attended the meeting led by Professor Nausherwan Burki and put forward an appeal against the administration of KTH for withholding his promotion to associate profession at the Khyber Medical College. Those present at the meeting have informed the media that suddenly, Dr. Afridi began throwing eggs at Professor Burki and had to be removed from the conference room by the police.
KP Health Minister Hisham Khan arrived at KTH an hour later on the request of Professor Burki who had invited him to attend a meeting with the administration. Finally, Dr. Zia Uddin Afridi had an audience with KP Health Minister, who showed his disdain over the entire incident in the meeting, which triggered a heated exchange of words, and quickly erupted into physical blows and kicks. Without delay, KP Health Minister’s guards jumped into the brawl and the surgeon was thrashed rather severely.
On the other hand, KP Health Minister has blamed the surgeon of attacking him first, while the surgeon is also accused by many of egging Professor Nausherwan Burki, cousin of PM Imran Khan.
Doctors Launch Protest Against KP Health Minister
Dr. Zia Uddin was then taken to the operating theatre where his students attended to the injuries inflicted on his head and neck. A video has emerged on social media, showing Dr. Zia Uddin lying on a stretcher while doctors and his students provide him first aid and accuse KP Health Minister and his guards for attacking him.
The administration of the Khyber Training Hospital has banned the entry of Dr. Zia Uddin into the facility, which has triggered a protest by doctors, leading to the suspension of medical facilities at the institution.
Media sources reveal that Dr. Zia Uddin had been complaining against the administration for denying him a promotion despite the fact that he fulfilled all criteria required for being so. However, the administration defends its decision by saying that he lacked the experience required for a higher post.
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After the incident, doctors launched a protest against KP Health Minister and suspended all medical services. The protests led by the doctors have also blocked traffic on Peshawar’s University Road, near the Town Police Station. Senior administration officials of the Khyber Teaching Hospital will hold a meeting to investigate the issue and maintained that the doctor had attacked the health minister as opposed to the other way round.
KP Health Minister Hisham Khan has registered an FIR against Dr. Zia Uddin, however, no FIR has been registered by Dr. Zia as yet. The police has informed the press that no doctor involved in the protest has been arrested; however, a request to register a case against KP Health Minister Hisham Khan has been taken.
KPK Chief Minister Mahmood Khan has taken notice of the incident and has ordered an inquiry into the matter.
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Summary
A general surgeon of the Karachi Teaching Hospital has accused KPK Health Minister and his guards of beating him, leading to serious injuries. On the other hand, KP Health Minister has blamed the surgeon of attacking him first, while the surgeon is also accused by many of egging Professor Nausherwan Burki, cousin of PM Imran Khan. Authorities are investigating the matter while doctors have staged massive protests against KP Health Minister’s attitude.