A medical officer here was placed under suspension forallegedly refusing surveillance duty to monitor suspected coronavirus casesplaced under home quarantine in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch district, officialssaid on Saturday.
Saleem Bhatti was suspended with immediate effect by DeputyCommissioner, Poonch, Rahul Yadav, with direction to the medical superintendentof the district hospital to initiate disciplinary action against him, theofficials said.
Quoting the order issued by the deputy commissioner onFriday, the officials said Tehsildar Haveli reported that Bhatti, deputed insurveillance team, refused to perform his duty.
The order said medical professionals are critical togovernment efforts in these difficult times when the government is putting allout efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19.
“Across the globe, medical professionals have gonebeyond call of duty to contain the spread of COVID-19 and Jammu and Kashmir isno exception. However, such lackadaisical attitude on part of one single doctorcan make efforts of all other health professionals futile,” the ordersaid.
It said the medical superintendent, district hospitalPoonch, would initiate disciplinary action against the suspended doctor andsubmit the action taken report to the office of the deputy commissioner at theearliest.
“During suspension period, he will remain attached withdistrict hospital Poonch at the disposal of medical superintendent for furtherduty,” the order said.