Transgenders threaten to sue LRH management

Govt forms another committee Bureau report

PESHAWAR: The transgender community of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Friday rejected the investigation committee report on the alleged negligence of the administration of Lady Reading Hospital in treatment of slain transvestite Alisha and announced to sue the hospital management.

Addressing a joint press conference, representatives of the transgender community Farzana, Paro along with civil society members Qamar Naseem, Zar Ali and others said that the 10-page inquiry report into the incident was controversial as some members of the committee accused the hospital administration of negligence.

They announced to serve damages suit of Rs.500 million on the LRH administration. Meanwhile, Health Minister Shahram Khan Tarakai on Friday formed another inquiry committee to investigate the alleged negligence of doctors that led to the death of a transvestite, Alisha, at the Lady Reading Hospital (LRH).

Surgeon Professor Dr Roohul Muqeem of the Khyber Teaching Hospital (KTH) would head the four-member committee. Other members of the committee include physician, Prof Dr Ameer Khan of Bacha Khan Medical College Mardan (BKMC) , Prof Dr Hakeem Afridi, head of Forensic Medicine and Technology Department of Khyber Medical College ( KMC)  and Additional Secretary Health Mutasim Billa.

The committee would complete investigation in 10 days and submit the report to the Health Department.The committee was given five terms of references. The ToRs include executive’s negligence which included the absence of consultant at the Accident Emergency Department and change of duties of doctors.

It will probe the allegation of frequent shifting of the patient Alisha to different units at the LRH, the provision of first aid to the injured dancer at the Trauma and Emergency Department, and if senior doctors were present on duty at the time.

The committee will examine whether the doctors and staff provided treatment to the wounded Alisha in line with the guidelines of the hospital. It is to fix responsibility and recommend action against the officials found guilty.The government decided to form an external committee after a previous committee submitted report to the government on Wednesday.