ISLAMABAD: Speakers at a function held here on Friday at Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) called for continuing the mission of Abdul Sattar Edhi serving the humanity through all possible means.
This is the best way to pay homage to late Edhi, a great philanthropist, social reformer and humanitarian. The speakers included Higher Education Commission (HEC) Chairman Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed, Pakistan Red Crescent Society Chairman Dr. Saeed Elahi, Sweets Homes Chairman Zamurd Khan, Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Women University (Peshawar) Vice Chancellor Dr. Razia Sultana, a leading local social worker Master Ayub Khan and journalist and columnist Jabbar Mirza.
AIOU Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Shahid SIddiqui said, the University arranged the condolence reference in memory of Edhi in order to spread his humanitarian spirit among the young generation through academic and extra-curricular activities. The AIOU will play its leading role in projecting his life-style that is a perfect example and role-model in the field of social services.
The University is actively engaged in undertaking the research work that helps to serve the society. They, he added, also providing free education to prisoners all over the country, as a part of welfare work. He thanked the HEC for its support in taking new initiatives in promoting reached-based and service-oriented activities.
Paying tributes to Abdus Sattar Edhi, Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed hoped that the AIOU will keep up its work in character-building of the students in line with the life and work of Edhi sahib. Trying to become a good human-being is the need of the hour in order to ensure a better life, he said adding “We need to strictly adhere to ‘Haqooqul Abad’ to enjoy the blessings of ALLAH”.
The Edhi’s volunteer work is most inspiring one for everybody. He teaches us to distribute happiness among his fellow-beings. It is binding upon every individual to deliver something good for others, he added. There is also need to promote the spirit of tolerance, forgiveness and sacrifice, he said and hoped that the educational institutions will fulfil their responsibilities in this connection.
Dr. Saeed Elahi referred to his personal association with Abdul Sattar Edhi and said he found him a great human-being who made himself ever-lasting through his devoted work. had formed a high-level committee to further probe the alleged negligence of the doctors of transvestite when another previously constituted committee didn’t fix responsibility on the doctors and health workers.
Senior surgeon Prof Dr Roohul Muqim was head of the committee, while Prof Hakim Afridi, Prof Ameer Khan, Prof Sajjad Ahmad and additional secretary health Motasim Billa were members of the committee.
After the inquiry committed submitted its report, the LRH administration sent questions to all the doctors accused in the inquiry committee and gave them proper time to explain their position.
Sources said that the BoG was satisfied with explanation from Prof Muzaffaruddin Sadiq. It exonerated him after he said that he was busy in taking interviews of doctors as Dean PGMI MTI LRH.
The previous inquiry committee formed by the LRH and provincial Health Department for investigating the alleged negligence of doctors and health workers and cause of death of transvestite was divided in recommendations and fixing responsibility. Some of them recommended another high-level probe committee, while others suggested a stern disciplinary action against senior doctors.
After receiving the inquiry committee report, the government had decided to form another committee that would comprise senior doctors of outside of LRH.Chief Minister Pervez Khattak and Health Minister Shahram Khan Tarakai wanted to pursue this case as the government was under pressure from international community, human rights organisations as well as media.
Dr Sher Ali, member of the previous committee, in his note had recommended disciplinary action against senior surgeons, who he said had left the patient without conducting laparotomy.
A transvestite Alisha was brought to the LRH casualty after she was shot and injured ?by armed men around 11pm on May 22.Other transvestites and transgenders later alleged that Alisha was not properly handled by the doctors that led to his death.
Sources told The News that Alisha was first mishandled at the surgical and then in orthopedic unit of casualty.However, what irritated other colleagues of Alisha was when they were denied a private room in orthopedic unit and were told that its air-conditioner isn’t functioning.
They were sent to Bolton Block where an in-charge nurse demanded Rs5000 fee of the private room.Alisha’s colleagues demanded a VIP room and refused to pay its cost.Interestingly, the air-conditioner of the room No 15 was out of order in Bolton Block in which Alisha was admitted.
They were later provided VIP room No 21 but it was too late. Also, Alisha identified herself as an Afghan and son of Shamshad to the doctors at the casualty, saying she is 24 years old. She didn’t have her identity card when the doctors on duty demanded.
Then her colleague, Farzana gave her own ID card to admit Alisha in the hospital and told the doctors she was 32 years old. In the ID card, Farzana’s name was mentioned Riaz.However, the doctors said Farzana told them Alisha was five-year-old when she came to her from Swat.