KARACHI: Though, the ruling Pakistan Peoples’ Party (PPP) always claims in service delivery to the people of the province, however the financial corruption has entered into almost every single department of the Sindh Government which is bringing large-scale devastation in the province.
The Sindh Employees’ Social Security Institution (Sessi) is the only hope for the labour class who merely get even fixed-minimum wages. In the past, the Sessi used to take care of the thousands of labourers in terms of education, health and other social security responsibilities.
Interestingly, the Sessi has become the most-corrupt institution where a mafia (group of few officers) has formed a nexus and chewing up millions of rupees by hoodwinking the authorities.
A shocking and mega scam surfaced where Dr Mumtaz Ali Shaikh, ex-medical superintendent KVSS Site Hospital embezzled Rs 20 million in few months for the purchase of cancer medicines.
According to a final show-cause notice issued to him by Asghar Ali Ghanghro, Vice Commissioner SESSI on December 14, 2021 fixing this mega corruption on Dr Mumtaz Ali Shaikh for his proven involvement.
“Whereas you were served a show cause notice by the institution vide letter No SS/MW/459 dated 3 November 2021. And whereas your reply of show cause notice was found unsatisfactory, unconvincing and totally irrelevant and misleading and full of counter blame rather than replying to the crux of show cause notice.
And whereas you have confessed that an amount of Rs 3,108,060 voluntarily returned through M/s MA Traders the local supplier of medicines at KVSS Site Hospital (again through an illegal and unauthorized procedure) against the higher prices of cancer medicines were charged as admitted by you in your reply of the show cause notice.”
It further states: “Whereas there are sufficient documentary evidences available on the record against you as reported which shows you have embezzled misappropriated SS funds amounting to Rs 17,230,570.
And whereas you have violated the SPRRA Rules and especially did not call three quotations from different local suppliers of medicines for the best evaluated and competitive rates which caused a huge loss of SS funds a sum of Rs 17,230,570 due to irrational purchases made at KVSS Site Hospital during the financial year 2020-2021 (despite tendered medicines are available).”
“Now therefore in exercise of the powers conferred upon me by the E&D Rules 1973, I do hereby call upon you to reply the Final Show Cause notice within 14 days from the issuance of this notice as to why the major penalty of removal from services under E&D Rule 1973 should nmot be imposed upon you. In case you failed to submit reply within the mandatory period of 14 days an ex-parte decision will be taken against you in accordance with the E&D Rules 1973, it adds.
Soon after the final show-cause notice, Director Administration (Medical) issued a suspension letter to Dr Mumtaz Ali Shaikh till further orders.
“In the light of recommendation of Enquiry Committee and with the approval of competent authority, the services of Dr Mumtaz Ali Shaikh, presently posted as Chief Medical Officer SESSI Landhi Circle are hereby placed under suspension with immediate effect and till further orders on account of corruption and embezzlement of SS funds amounting to Rs 17,230,570 in purchase of cancer medicines and local purchase of medicines during his tenure as Medical superintendent at KVSS Site Hospital Karachi. He is directed to report to commissioner secretaria SESSI Head Ofice immediately.”
KARACHI: As many as 14,089 well-experienced doctors, 63,000 well-trained paramedical staff are working under the ambit of Sindh’s health department.
Besides, 1,300 ambulances are operational out of them 300 are providing free services in various areas of the province through Sindh Integrated Health Services.
This was told in a meeting held under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary Sindh Asif Hyder Shah on Tuesday.
While briefing the chief secretary, Secretary Health Rehan Iqbal Baloch there are 14,089 doctors and 63,000 paramedical staff working in the health department with more than 1,000 ambulances in various hospitals across the province.
Additionally, over 300 ambulances are providing free services in different areas of the province through Sindh Integrated Health Services, Baloch added.
The meeting decided to enhance treatment facilities at district and divisional levels to provide standardized healthcare services within the districts, thus minimizing the need for people to travel to Karachi or other major cities for medical treatment.
CS Asif Hyder Shah emphasized the need for special attention to the immunization program to achieve optimal results and ensure access to vaccines for every child.
He directed the Secretary Health Rehan Iqbal Baloch to ensure the attendance of doctors and to improve treatment facilities and other facilities in hospitals.
HYDERABAD: While continuing its efforts to ensure healthy food to masses, the Sindh Food Authority has recovered thousands of packets of fake juices brand from Hyderabad.
As per the details, a team of Sindh Food Authority Hyderabad acting on the direction of Director General Sindh Food Authority Agha Fakhr Hussain, have recovered thousands of packets of harmful juice from a house in Sammanabad Qasimabad.
The operation was conducted under the supervision of Deputy Director Hyderabad Fida Hussain Khoso.
The team also arrested three qccused, Yasin Sheikh, owner of the fake juice factory, two employees Islahuddin and Arbab. The team of Sindh Food Authority also seized the raw materials for making harmful juices.
It should be noted that this unhealthy juice was being provided at shops and bakeries. This action was taken after receiving complaints.
Speaking on this occasion, Deputy Director Hyderabad Fida Hussain Khoso said that Director General Sindh Food Authority Agha Fakhr Hussain had given clear instructions to take action against those selling adulterated products at all levels. He warned the sellers of adulterated food items to keep themselves away from their activities otherwise strict action would be taken against them under Sindh Food Authority Act.
KARACHI: The Sindh Food Authority is all set to initiate massive crackdown against selling of tea mixed with chemical milk at chai hotels.
While taking note of the various complaints, the food authority officials launched large-scale inspection of milk and tea shops.
In the first phase, milk and tea leaf samples were collected from more than hundred shops across the city. These inspections have been conducted under the supervision of Director General Sindh Food Authority Agha Fakhar Hussain.
The samples obtained from the shops have been sent to the laboratory of Karachi University. These samples will be biologically tested to find out the facts.
Speaking on the occasion, Director General Sindh Food Authority Agha Fakhar Hussain said that Ramadan is approaching and we will ensure the sale of pure milk and tea free from adulteration in Ramadan. Sale of adulterated food items will not be allowed.
Strict action will be taken against those who sell adulterated food items as per law.