The Punjab government has resolved to take stringent measures against Muhammad Shoaib Niazi, President of the Young Doctors Association Punjab (YDA), in connection with the controversial video incident at Lady Willingdon Hospital (LWH).
Following the scandal, the Punjab Health Department suspended multiple senior officials at LWH, including the Medical Superintendent, senior consultants, senior registrars, senior medical officers, and the Head of Department. Despite these suspensions, YDA Punjab condemned the move and issued warnings of potential protests should the decision remain unchanged.
Dr. Shoaib Niazi, who serves as a consultant rheumatologist at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital in Lahore, vocally criticized the suspensions. He emphasized the association’s constitutional right to demonstrate if the “unjust decision” is not revoked.
In a significant development, the Health Department’s inquiry committee has recommended disciplinary action against Dr. Niazi, up to and including dismissal. Official documents reveal that he was found culpable of negligence and administrative misconduct during the investigation. These violations fall under the Punjab Employees Efficiency, Discipline and Accountability (Peeda) Act, prompting further disciplinary procedures.
A show-cause notice has been issued to Dr. Niazi, requiring him to respond within seven days. Additionally, he has been summoned by the Special Secretary Health for a meeting scheduled on April 6. It is notable that Dr. Niazi previously led protests last year under the Grand Health Alliance banner, which had triggered prior investigations against him.
Separately, on Tuesday, the Punjab Health Department issued show-cause notices to senior administrative officials at Lady Willingdon Hospital regarding a video showing two patients during treatment inappropriately. This action was taken following directives from Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif.
The department also recommended disciplinary measures to the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) against five postgraduate doctors involved in recording the video: Dr. Tayyaba, Dr. Maham, Dr. Zainab, Dr. Ayesha, and Dr. Essa.
