GUJRANWALA: A large consignment of government medicines belonging to Gujranwala Teaching Hospital has been recovered from a private warehouse, raising questions over alleged negligence within the Punjab Health Department and the possible diversion of medicines meant for public-sector patients.
According to media reports, the medicines were allegedly being diverted for sale in the open market and were recovered from a private warehouse during an inquiry into the matter.
Following the disclosure, an assistant professor, a medical officer and a pharmacist at Gujranwala Teaching Hospital are reported to have been suspended.
The storekeeper and a ward cleaner were also suspended in connection with the incident.
All the suspended employees have been directed to report to the health department, reports said.
The provincial health authorities have constituted a fact-finding committee to investigate the alleged theft and determine how government medicines were removed from the hospital and ended up in a private warehouse.
The committee has been directed to submit its report within 24 hours, including findings on the alleged negligence and the circumstances surrounding the disappearance and recovery of the medicines.
The incident has raised concerns over the monitoring and security of government medical supplies, particularly medicines intended for patients receiving treatment at public-sector hospitals.
