Coordinator of Covid-19 cell at SNMC suspended

AGRA: Coordinator of Covid-19 cell and head of medicine department at Sarojini Naidu Medical College and Hospital, Dr PK Maheshwari, was suspended on Sunday for allegedly violating norms, laid for quarantine, and placing his colleagues and medical staff under risk at the medical college.

An office order to this effect was issued by the principal secretary on the recommendation by director general, medical education and training. According to the order, Dr Maheshwari had given his own sample for testing on March 27 and thus was required to undergo 14 days of home quarantine. The test report was negative yet Dr Maheshwari was supposed to remain in home quarantine but he did not follow it, the order further stated.

The office order, dated March 17, alleged that Dr Maheshwari did not follow norms of social distancing and performed duty at the medical college while visiting his home also. Dr Maheshwari again gave his sample for testing on April 5 went to hotel Man Singh for quarantine when the hotel was meant for medical team, involved in treatment and undergoing passive quarantine.

Objection was raised against Dr PK Maheshwari for not being on duty at isolation ward and also for not informing concerned authorities about his non- availability. The principal of medical college was not informed and efforts to contact him were in vain as his mobile was switched off or calls were forwarded and this was considered as indiscipline in times of Covid-19 outbreak.

The second report of Dr Maheshwari was again negative but instead of again going for 14 days quarantine, he moved to his residence on April 9 and joined duty on April 10. This was considered as violation of quarantine rules that too by someone who was coordinator of Covid-19 at the medical college.

Taking this as indiscipline and violation of service rules, the departmental enquiry was ordered and Dr Maheshwari was suspended by governor for such conduct. For the period of suspension, Dr PK Maheshwari is to remain attached to office of director general, medical education and training in Lucknow.

When contacted, Dr Maheshwari denied to comment on the suspension order.

THE OFFICE ORDER, DATED MARCH 17, ALLEGED THAT DR PK MAHESHWARI DID NOT FOLLOW NORMS OF SOCIAL DISTANCING AND PERFORMED DUTY AT THE MEDICAL COLLEGE WHILE VISITING HIS HOME ALSO.