Another cardiac surgeon leaves LRH

PESHAWAR: Following the sudden resignation of Lady Reading Hospital’s Dean Dr Junaid Sarfaraz, another senior cardiac surgeon at LRH decided to quit his job, leaving only one surgeon to handle the influx of patients.

Cardiac Surgeon Dr Faiq resigned from his job on Friday, leaving the only other cardiac surgeon, Dr Yasir Naseem, to treat the patients.

Both the doctors quit after Dr Nausherwan Burki, the architect of so-called health reforms in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, took charge of the hospital as chairman Board of Governors (BoG) and Policy Board.

The cardiac surgery department in LRH was already in crisis, as other cardiac surgeons had quit their jobs and only Dr Faiq and Dr Yasir were treating the patients.

The department was closed for more than two years after head of the department, Dr Riaz Anwar, and his team were accused of high mortality rates. Dr Burki had hired some cardiac surgeons who started cardiac procedures.

However, when Dr Burki was removed from his position as chairman BoG by the caretaker government, many other doctors, including cardiac and paediatric cardiac surgeons chose to leave.

The paediatric cardiac surgery department was closed following the resignation of the surgeons. Most of them went abroad and got well-paid jobs.

It was astonishing to note that cardiac surgeon Dr Faiq quit his job when the all-powerful Dr Burki was back in the hospital.

“Respected seniors, colleagues, as we always begin to end, so was my case, today was my last day of service as AP (assistant professor) in cardiac surgery at the prestigious Lady Reading Hospital Peshawar. My journey at LRH spanned two years, but this journey gave me strong interpersonal, and managerial skills alongside clinical walk that would always stand in my career. LRH introduced me to working in a more diverse complex and dynamic environment, made friends, got supported and had memories. Wishing and praying for the betterment of everyone and everything, here I am taking an off,” Dr Faiq stated in his farewell note.

Dr Faiq avoided discussing the reasons that prompted him to resign but some sources said that he was not satisfied with the hospital administration and their lack of support and coordination had frustrated him.

Meanwhile, Dean LRH Dr Junaid Sarfaraz also resigned from his position.

It was Dr Burki, who had selected Dr Junaid Sarfaraz and appointed him as Dean LRH. Both were happy with each other as Dr Junaid Sarfaraz wholeheartedly followed the vision of Dr Burki.

The faculty members in LRH were not happy with Dr Sarfaraz as LRH had strict rules for promotions of the doctors compared to other medical teaching institutions (MTIs). The faculty members later realised his compulsions.

Many senior doctors were denied their right of promotion, prompting them to challenge it in court. Presently, dozens of doctors filed cases against the LRH administration.

There were reports that Dr Burki had forced him to resign.

However, when reached, Dr Junaid Sarfaraz said, “No, he didn’t force me to resign.”

Some of the officials in LRH told The News that a few “highly paid conspirators” holding important positions had misled the decision makers about Dr Junaid Sarfaraz.

The faculty members were surprised when they came to know about the resignation of Dr Junaid Sarfaraz.

“I submitted my resignation to the BoG on the 30th of June 2024 requesting an exemption from the three months’ notice. The Board accepted my resignation today. Tomorrow will be my last day in the office. I thank everyone for their support and assistance during my brief stay here,” Dr Junaid Sarfaraz stated in his farewell message.

A number of doctors in LRH including general surgeons, Dr Qayyum and Prof Dr Nadeem recently took premature retirement.

Before them, another general surgeon, Dr Nadeem Bukhari took premature retirement apparently due to lack of service structure and incentives.