NAROWAL: The deputy commissioner suspended 61 staff, including seven doctors, from Shakargarh public health facilities after catching them evading duty during his surprise visit to health f acilities.

At the Kot Nainan Rural Health Centre, DC Shahrukh Niazi found 24 employees missing. There were only four staff present.

Similarly, when the DC visited basic health units at Bara Manga and Dera Afghanan, he found both facilities shuttered and the front gates locked. He found only a guard at the 24/7 Malikpur BHU. At the Chchchra BHU, only a lady health visitor and a naib qasid were pre-sent. The doctor was absent at the Tola BHU, while the paramedics on duty said the doctor was on leave.

The DC asked the health chief executive of ficer to look into the matter.

Doctors, paramedics and other staff members-61altogether-were suspended from service by the DC for f ailing to report to work.

In accordance with the Punjab Employees Efficiency, Discipline and Accountability Act of 2006, DC Niazi also suggested the health authorities to pursue legal action against them.

Sources claim the DC forwarded a report to the health secretary so that ineffective officers would be dealt with. He also surrendered Dr Farrukh Javed`s service as the deputy district health officer due to his lax oversight of the Shakargarh medical f acilities.Locals have welcomed the action against health officials. Yasin Khan and Ashraf, of Bara Manga, said the BHU staff often remained off duty.

Doctors and paramedical staff used to come to the hospital occasionally. They said patients, especially women and children, had to go to the Shakargarh THQ Hospital or the Narowal DHQ Hospital for treatment. They said the poor people could not af ford treatment from a private doctor.

Locals said they made several requests to the officers of the health department toimprove the dire condition of the BHU, but no one listened.

They said they were happy that the DC himself saw government hospitals, whose main gates were locked.

Health CEO Dr Khalid Javed said the action was being taken against absent doctors and paramedics. Correspondent