City health depts witness internal rift over jurisdictions.

ISLAMABAD -- In the middle of the battle against novel coronavirus (COVID-19), the health departments under Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) administration have initiated an internal rift by interfering in allocated areas, The Nation learnt on Friday.

The Director General (DG) District Health Services (DHS) Dr. Hassan Orooj has written a letter to the Deputy Commissioner (DC), ICT, alleging that the District Health Officer (DHO) has illegally encroached and interfered in the work of DHS.

The letter available with The Nation alleged that the interference of DHO in the work of DHS has resulted in the spread of COVID-19.

In the letter written to DC, the DHS Dr. Hassan Orooj said that National Bank Branch F-6 was sealed and management contacted DHS, MCI for de-sealing. DHS instructed preventive measures for coronavirus in the branch and branch was found non-compliant in two consecutive visits of MCI. The letter said that in the meanwhile, DHO de-sealed the branch on 23-06-2020 but under what legal authority?

DHS claimed that it is an illegal conduct and encroachment by District Health Officer and his representatives in the affairs of DHS, MCI in urban Islamabad.

The letter stated that it has not only caused embarrassment and confusion in Islamabad among institutions and community but an act of disgrace by DHO office, which has put all institutions at stake.

DHS in the letter also alleged that earlier upon such manoeuvres of DHO and several acts of illegalities, a notification by Deputy Commissioner, ICT was issued...