Ayub Teaching Hospital official suspended

ABBOTTABAD: The Board of Governors (BoG) of the Ayub Medical Teaching Institution Abbottabad (AMTI) has suspended the former officiating hospital director of the Ayub Teaching Hospital Dr Athar Lodhi over alleged financial mismanagement, misuse of authority, and negligence.

The office order signed by BoG Chairman Dr Abid Jameel stated that the decision was made by the BoG of the MTI, citing the need to ensure transparency in the ongoing inquiries against Dr Athar Lodhi.The suspension will be till an outcome of the inquiries, which were initiated after BoG members observed alleged discrepancies during their visits to the hospital.

It may be pointed out that despite the expiry of the tenure of hospital director on June 6,,2024 Dr Athar Lodhi continued to work as hospital director. This problem ended with the appointment of a new hospital director by the BoG chairman.

The BoG on December 16, last year had delayed the permanent appointment of the hospital director due to the ban and had given an extension to the officiating hospital director for three months till on 6.6.2024. He had availed six months tenure earlier as hospital director.

Although the MTI Act 2015 clearly states that the chairperson may appoint deans, hospital

directors, medical directors, nursing directors, and finance directors on an officiating basis in case of exigency, such appointments shall be for three months, and the board shall make regular appointments in the prescribed manner.

However, the BoG not only validated the tenure of the hospital director but also gave him an extension for an additional three months.Meanwhile, in another notification, the BoG constituted an inquiry committee to investigate several matters related to the hospital’s administration and finances including alleged unlawful purchases of medicines and equipment.

The committee was tasked with investigating the matters within 14 days and submitting a

report.