Into action: K-P govt fills vacant medical posts swiftly

Authorities plan to address all shortcomings in health sector

PESHAWAR: As there are plenty of vacancies to fill at various government hospitals, the health department has decided to spring into action and appoint officials to these positions. The lack of staff was creating hurdles in service delivery to patients.

Officials privy to the development told The Express Tribune the health department carried out a detailed survey through independent monitoring units and collected data of shortcomings at health facilities in K-P.



They said the department was gradually reducing shortcomings, providing equipment and advertising to fill vacant posts as soon as possible. The officials hoped to have the task completed by June.

Besides other health employees, the government plans to induct some 774 trainee medical officers (TMO). The posts will be filled as per the criteria set by the College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan at various postgraduate teaching institutes.

A senior health official told The Express Tribune the Peoples Primary Health Care Initiative (PPHI) had been running basic health units. However, since the contract was expiring, the health department planned to take over the health facilities.

“We will make appointments to posts on a contractual basis initially as they need to be filled immediately,” the health official said. “We will then ask the Public Service Commission to follow the official criteria.”

He requested anonymity as he was not entitled to speak the media.

The official said 300 posts for charge nurses were advertised earlier. Also, employees for 900 posts had already been inducted, while positions for 1,097 paramedics with different specialties had been advertised and would soon be filled.

Another health official involved in the preparation of this plan said the government decided to fill 1,069 posts at various health facilities.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 30^th, 2016.