LAHORE: Chief Minister Usman Buzdar on Wednesday paid a surprise visit to the Mayo Hospital and expressed his displeasure over the unsatisfactory provision of healthcare facilities in its emergency ward and nonprovision of free medicines to the patients.

The chief minister suspended Medical Superintendent Dr Tahir Khalil and drug controller/chief pharmacist of the hospital, Irshad Hussain, under PEEDA act and directed them to report back to the department.

Mr Buzdar also issued warning to Mayo Hospital Chief Executive Officer Prof Dr Asad Aslam Khan for showing poor performance and ordered improvement in the hospital management.

The chief minister, along with specialised healthcare and medical education department secretary paid a surprise visit to hospital and met with patients and their attendants in the emergency ward. While inspecting medical facilities, he inquired the patients and their attendants about the provision of medical facilities and availability of free medicines in the emergency He reprimanded the chief pharmacist over the complaints by some patients and their attendants who said they had to buy medicines privately from the market. He also expressed his displeasure over absence of signboards for the guidance of patients and their attendants in dif ferent wards.

`I am saddened over the condition of emergency of such a big hospital and the condition of CNIC for provision of wheelchair to the patients is simply uncalled for,` he said and directed that the wheelchairs should be provided without production of CNICs because these were meant for the patients.

During inspection of the emergency ward pharmacy he expressed dismay over non-provision of free medicines to patients. He directed that patients must be provided all medicines free of cost in the emergency ward and that the CT scan machines at the hospital should remain fully functional round the clock.

Mr Buzdar also expressed his strong displeasure over non-functioning of patients` lift and said there was a dire need to bring improvement in the hospital`s emergency.

`The condition of the Mayo Hospital`s emergency is not satisfying in any way as providing quality healthcare facilities is the fundamental responsibility of the hospital administration, he said.