LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Saturday turned down a petition which had sought personal protective equipment (PPE) kits and additional financial relief for doctors working as medical officers in hospitals across Punjab, treating Covid-19 patients. In its detailed verdict, the court – while declaring that the petitioners had mala fide intentions – ordered the petitioners, a group of five doctors, to cover the costs while allowing the Punjab health department and the provincial government to take action against them if deemed necessary. The court noticed that one of the petitioners was posted for a day to screen patients for Covid-19, for which he was given complete protective gear. The court said it would be unfair to give a verdict against the Punjab government when it had been taking effective measures to ensure the safety of doctors, adding that doctors as public servants also had a responsibility towards the state. Without approaching other modes of redressal granted to them, public servants cannot move the high court with a constitutional petition, Justice Khan wrote.

Source: Pakistan Today April 25, 2020 08:57 UTC