By: Muhammad Rehan
DERA ISMAIL KHAN: Questions have been raised over an alleged incident involving the removal of expensive medical supplies from the District Headquarters Teaching Hospital, Dera Ismail Khan, prompting calls for a transparent investigation into the matter.
According to sources, a private sanitation worker deployed in the DCU Ward was allegedly caught while attempting to take two boxes of cannulas, reportedly worth around Rs48,000, out of the hospital premises through a dustbin.
Sources said the MTI administration subsequently terminated the employee from service in connection with the incident.
However, public and social circles have called for a broader investigation, arguing that if medical supplies have allegedly been going missing over an extended period, action against a single low-level employee would not be sufficient. They demanded that the entire system of medicine procurement, storage, distribution and record-keeping be examined.
Questions have also reportedly been raised about the inquiry process. Sources alleged that the investigation was being conducted by a security guard employed by a private security company rather than by a responsible government officer, prompting concerns about the transparency and credibility of the proceedings.
Public, social and business circles have urged Commissioner Dera Daud Khan and Deputy Commissioner Dera Hikmatullah to order a high-level, impartial and transparent inquiry into the alleged disappearance of expensive medicines from the hospital, including the latest reported incident.
They also called for a forensic audit of medicine procurement and stock records covering the relevant period. They said that if any individual or group is found responsible after due investigation, strict action should be taken in accordance with the law.
The stakeholders stressed that transparency in the management of medicines and medical supplies is essential to protect public resources and ensure uninterrupted healthcare services for patients.
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