DW BUREAU / Ludhiana

Punjab Health and Family Welfare Minister Balbir Singh on Friday ordered the immediate suspension of a gynaecologist at a government hospital here for alleged negligence in a woman's delivery case. The minister warned that the doctor's medical license could be revoked and legal action may follow pending further investigation.

The incident occurred recently when the gynaecologist at the Khanna Civil Hospital failed to attend to a critical delivery case despite being informed by the on-duty medical officer, a statement issued here said. Senior Medical Officer (SMO) Dr Maninder Singh Bhasin stepped in to perform the emergency surgery, successfully saving the patient's life.

The minister emphasised the Punjab government's commitment to providing high-quality healthcare services, saying, "Any negligence in patient care is unacceptable and will face strict consequences." After the incident, a three-member committee, comprising an SMO Civil Hospital Khanna and two specialists, was constituted to investigate. The committee's report found the gynaecologist's failure to address the case with due seriousness.

In response to queries about doctor shortages in Doraha and Payal government hospitals in this district, he said that the state has recruited approximately 3000 healthcare workers recently with plans to onboard 1000 additional doctors soon.

(editor@dailyworld.in)