Four-tier formula: Sindh approves plan for doctor promotions

New formula to cost Rs76.8 million.

KARACHI: The Sindh government approved a four-tier formula for the promotion of general cadre doctors and dental surgeons on Wednesday.

The decision came at a meeting of the health and finance departments with Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah at CM House. The implementation of this formula is going to cost the government Rs76.8 million.

According to the formula, one per cent of the total sanctioned strength of doctors will be in grade BS-20, 15 per cent in BS-19, 34 per cent in BS-18 and 50 per cent will be in BS-17.

The total strength of doctors in the Sindh Health Department is 10,923 posts, which includes 109 posts in grade BS-20, 1,634 posts in BS-19, 3,714 posts in BS-18 and 6,798 posts in BS-17. However, 51 posts of grade BS-20, 401 posts of BS-19 and 903 posts of BS-18 are lying vacant. The meeting was also informed that once the formula is implemented, no new posts will be created.

Shah directed the officials to ensure that promotions take place regularly. He said that the health department has already asked the Sindh Public Service Commission to recruit 1,100 doctors and these jobs will be provided particularly to unemployed doctors.

The service structure of general cadre doctors and dental surgeons was last approved during the tenure of former prime minster Benazir Bhutto in 1995.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 27^th, 2011.