LAHORE: Though the cardiac surgery heldis atits worst in Punjab due to an acute shortage ofsenior doctors, two highly-experienced professors have been awaiting postings at home for oneand-a-half months, thanks to the government for showing a `kind gesture towards the heart patients.

The `displacement with disgrace` of two regular professors having spotless career from mega government hospitals for about 40 daysissaidtobe arare precedent in the history of the health department.

`Unfortunately, there are only two full-fledged professors ofcardiacsurgeryin the public sector teaching hospitals of Lahore having a population of over 10 million,` a senior official privy to the information told Dawn.

Quoting some recent studles, he said Pakistan ranked among countries of the highest risks in terms of coronary heart disease (CHD). `The countryisindireneedofsenior cardiac surgeons to fight the emerging challenges,` he said.

Health Secretary Jawad Rafique Malik said the department was planning to accommodate the two surgeons in Mayo and Jinnah hospitals.

He said the shortage of cardiacsurgeryunitsevenin mega government hospitals of the city caused the `displacement` of senior medics.

`They will get postings next week,` Mr Jawad said.

The seniorofñcialsaidthe Punjab government had transferred Prof Dr Abdul Waheed, senior cardiac surgeon and head of department at Punjab Institute of Cardiology, on Nov 4 and sent him to the disposal of the health secretariat.

He said it had also transferred Faisalabad Institute of Cardiology (FIC) chief executive and professor of cardiac surgery Dr Raja Pervez Akhtar the same day and posted him at the PIC as head of the cardiac surgery unit II.

The S&GAD had issued a proper notification of Prof Akthar`s next posting as head of the cardiac unit at the PIC, Lahore.

The ofñeial said as the chief executive of the PIC, Lahore, was not `comfortable` with both of them, Prof Raja Akhtar was not allowed to work when he visited there on Nov 6 to give his joining report.

Similarly, Prof Waheed`s transfer was also made at the request of the PIC head.

Since then both senior most cardiac surgeons of the mega public sector specialized institutes of Punjab were awaiting next postings `at home`, he said.

They were well-reputed for being authority in the cardiac procedures including by-pass and adult congenital heart surgeries.

Prof Waheed had been providing services for coronary artery diseases, heart valve diseases and surgery for birth defects or tumors of heart besides conducing hundreds of by-pass operations during his five-year job at the PIC, he said.

The ofncial said surgical procedures in these particular areas were lying suspendedatthePICasthe post of the cardiac professor has been lying vacant for one month. LAHORE: Though the cardiac surgery heldis atits worst in Punjab due to an acute shortage ofsenior doctors, two highly-experienced professors have been awaiting postings at home for oneand-a-half months, thanks to the government for showing a `kind gesture towards the heart patients.

The `displacement with disgrace` of two regular professors having spotless career from mega government hospitals for about 40 daysissaidtobe arare precedent in the history of the health department.

`Unfortunately, there are only two full-fledged professors ofcardiacsurgeryin the public sector teaching hospitals of Lahore having a population of over 10 million,` a senior official privy to the information told Dawn.

Quoting some recent studles, he said Pakistan ranked among countries of the highest risks in terms of coronary heart disease (CHD). `The countryisindireneedofsenior cardiac surgeons to fight the emerging challenges,` he said.

Health Secretary Jawad Rafique Malik said the department was planning to accommodate the two surgeons in Mayo and Jinnah hospitals.

He said the shortage of cardiacsurgeryunitsevenin mega government hospitals of the city caused the `displacement` of senior medics.

`They will get postings next week,` Mr Jawad said.

The seniorofñcialsaidthe Punjab government had transferred Prof Dr Abdul Waheed, senior cardiac surgeon and head of department at Punjab Institute of Cardiology, on Nov 4 and sent him to the disposal of the health secretariat.

He said it had also transferred Faisalabad Institute of Cardiology (FIC) chief executive and professor of cardiac surgery Dr Raja Pervez Akhtar the same day and posted him at the PIC as head of the cardiac surgery unit II.

The S&GAD had issued a proper notification of Prof Akthar`s next posting as head of the cardiac unit at the PIC, Lahore.

The ofñeial said as the chief executive of the PIC, Lahore, was not `comfortable` with both of them, Prof Raja Akhtar was not allowed to work when he visited there on Nov 6 to give his joining report.

Similarly, Prof Waheed`s transfer was also made at the request of the PIC head.

Since then both senior most cardiac surgeons of the mega public sector specialized institutes of Punjab were awaiting next postings `at home`, he said.

They were well-reputed for being authority in the cardiac procedures including by-pass and adult congenital heart surgeries.

Prof Waheed had been providing services for coronary artery diseases, heart valve diseases and surgery for birth defects or tumors of heart besides conducing hundreds of by-pass operations during his five-year job at the PIC, he said.

The ofncial said surgical procedures in these particular areas were lying suspendedatthePICasthe post of the cardiac professor has been lying vacant for one month.