Lahore, March 24 – Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz took swift action on Tuesday, suspending the medical superintendent and principal of Jinnah Hospital following a surprise visit that exposed serious lapses in patient care. The impromptu inspection was triggered by mounting complaints from patients and their families about the unavailability of essential medicines and diagnostic services.
During her visit, Maryam toured the hospital’s medicine storage facility and emergency ward, where she personally engaged with patients to assess the quality of care. Attendants voiced frustration over the absence of free medicines, a cornerstone of the government’s healthcare policy. Visibly displeased, the chief minister ordered immediate disciplinary measures against those found negligent and directed staff to ensure a steady supply of medications.
The emergency ward revealed further shortcomings, with patients highlighting delays in basic medical services. Maryam issued on-the-spot directives to address the gaps, emphasizing that such failures were unacceptable. “The government is committed to delivering timely and quality healthcare to every citizen,” she asserted, adding that any form of negligence would face strict consequences.
The suspensions have sparked discussions among hospital staff, with some acknowledging systemic issues like underfunding and overburdened facilities, while others view the action as a necessary step to enforce accountability. Local residents have welcomed the chief minister’s hands-on approach, hoping it signals broader reforms in Punjab’s public healthcare system.
Maryam’s visit underscores her administration’s focus on improving medical infrastructure, a key promise of her tenure. As the province grapples with healthcare challenges, her decisive response aims to restore public trust in government hospitals. Authorities have been instructed to submit a detailed report on the hospital’s operations within a week, with further actions expected based on the findings.
