Official suspended after out-of-turn vaccination of PML-N leader’s family

The Government of Sindh has suspended the officer who facilitated the out-of-turn COVID-19 vaccination of the daughter and son-in-law of PML-N leader Muhammad Zubair Umar.

According to the details, the official at the District Health Office in East District of Karachi was suspended after violating the standard operating procedures (SOPs) regarding the administration of the COVID-19 vaccination.

Dr Aneela Qureshi facilitated the out-of-turn vaccination of the daughter and son-in-law of former Sindh governor and PML-N leader Muhammad Zubair Umar by providing them with two doses of the vaccine meant for frontline healthcare workers in the fight against COVID-19.

“The person who facilitated this has been suspended and an enquiry will be taking place.” said the Media Coordinator to the Minister at Sindh Health Department. “Our priority is our Frontline Healthcare Workers only in this phase.” she added.

According to the details provided, the couple was administered the coronavirus vaccine on February 6, at the Adult Vaccination Center of Ojha Campus at Dow University of Health Sciences (DUHS).

It was also confirmed that Dr Aneela Qureshi, the District Health Officer incharge at the vaccination center “had the authority to decline and send them back.”

Meanwhile, the senior PML-N leader Muhammad Zubair has responded to the controversy saying that he did not request anyone to administer the vaccine to his family and his daughter and son-in-law got themselves vaccinated through their own connections.

NCOC takes “immediate notice”

The National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) has taken immediate notice of the matter, according to Asad Umar, who also happens to be the brother of PML-N leader Muhammad Zubair Umar.

Federal Minister Asad Umar stated that meeting headed by Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Health Dr Faisal Sultan urged representatives of Sindh Government to ensure that coronavirus vaccines are only administered to healthcare workers in the first phase of vaccinations.

Read more: Two PHA officials suspended over Allama Iqbal statue in Lahore.

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