The Supreme Court has directed secretary health and advocate general Punjab to appear before the court today (Friday) along with details of doctors who have gone on strike and those suspended following the fake drugs issue. Referring to media reports about the strike being observed by the young doctors, Registrar Supreme Court has written a letter to chief secretary, Punjab and conveyed the copy of court order dated January 30.
It is pertinent to mention that on January 30 the apex court had taken a suo motu action regarding deaths of patients under treatment in Punjab Institute of Cardiology due to spurious drugs. The court had directed the authorities to proceed with a transparent enquiry under the law, fix responsibility and thereafter propose action regarding the matters arising out of the death of patients under treatment in PIC by spurious or incorrect prescription of drugs.
The order said that all the doctors/officers/manufacturers of drugs concerned shall fully cooperate with the enquiry which shall be concluded expeditiously. However, no such doctor or a person required in such investigation or enquiry shall be arrested, if be voluntarily co-operates with the enquiry and any doctor arrested in this regard shall be released forthwith subject to his personal bonds to the satisfaction of the Deputy Registrar (Judicial) of Lahore High Court, Lahore.
In its order, the court had said that the doctors represent a noble profession and the ailing patients need their care and attention. It is not in consonance with the spirit of their noble calling to go on strike and leave the patients unattended, it said, adding that as in the event of their strike/boycott, the patients under treatment in PIC or any other hospital are likely to suffer and their fundamental right of right to life may seriously be compromised, and no doctor shall go on strike and shall attend to their respective dutiess.