Mayo Hospital Controversy: Medical Community Reacts to CM Punjab’s Actions
Key Highlights:
- CM Maryam Nawaz’s visit to Mayo Hospital sparked controversy after she reprimanded Medical Superintendent (MS) Prof. Dr. Faisal Masood over a medicine shortage, despite the hospital facing Rs3.5 billion in pending liabilities.
- Reports reveal Dr. Faisal Masood had already resigned on Feb 12 due to the financial crisis, while Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique and Secretary Azmat Mahmood were allegedly aware of the funding shortfall but failed to act.
- The Punjab government had released only Rs20 million against the hospital’s Rs3.5 billion dues, leaving suppliers unwilling to provide medicines.
- Just a day before the CM’s visit, the Health Secretary issued a letter of displeasure to the MS, despite knowing he had resigned weeks earlier—allegedly to shift blame to hospital management.
- The Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) and Young Consultants Association (YCA) condemned the incident, calling it a humiliating blow to the medical profession and warning of further brain drain of doctors from Pakistan.
- Dr. Asfandyar Khan of PIMS criticized the government’s failure to address the issue, saying Dr. Faisal Masood remained silent out of respect but was unjustly treated.
The incident has sparked a strong backlash from the medical fraternity, who accuse the Punjab government of mismanagement and scapegoating medical professionals instead of addressing the hospital’s financial crisis. The removal of a respected medical professional like Dr. Faisal Masood has raised concerns over governance in the health sector and could lead to further resignations and emigration of doctors.
