Sindh Health Dept transfers officials over misuse of COVID-19 funds

KARACHI: Sindh Health Department has transferred officers facing corruption allegations and misappropriation of funds for efforts against the coronavirus pandemic.

Additional Director, Karachi Health Directorate, Dr Nasrullah Memon has been relieved from his post and has been directed to report to the Sindh Health Department. He has been replaced by Dr Hasan Jalbani.

Accounts Officer Khalil Ahmed Bhutto, who was serving in the office of Director Health Services Karachi Division, has been transferred to the District Health Officer in Sukkur with immediate effect. He was facing allegations of corruption and misappropriation of funds for efforts against the coronavirus pandemic.

The Sindh Health Department has taken notice of the embezzlement of funds, substandard items and other irregularities. Storekeeper Shahnawaz at the health department in Karachi has also been implicated in the misuse of funds.

The Sindh government had allocated Rs34.5 million as emergency funds for efforts against the coronavirus in Karachi. However, rather than taking action, the Sindh health department has transferred the accused officers.

Many health officers facing corruption allegations have been transferred from Karachi to other cities in Sindh. There were reports that the health budget has been misappropriated during the coronavirus pandemic, while no inquiry or action has been taken against the officers.

Meanwhile, Dr Muhammad Hussain Shaikh has been appointed as Medical Superintendent at Sindh Government Hospital Gadap, while Dr Aftab Jokhio has been relieved of his additional charge and appointed as Medical Superintendent in Malir.