Monitoring function: Health workers to face the music over absenteeism

Secretary says decision on those missing during Eid will be taken on July 11

PESHAWAR/ CHARSADDA: A vast number of health staffers are likely to face the music after they were found absent from their duties when health officials paid a surprise visit to their facilities during Eid holidays.

Officials privy to the development told The Express Tribune the health department had assigned duties to various doctors at different health facilities. This was done to ensure sufficient staffers were available at health facilities to assist the public in case of an emergency.

According to the official, prior to Eidul Fitr the department had devised a strategy whereby health officials from the health department, health directorate and monitoring units, drug inspectors and others were asked to visit at least one facility a day during Eid holidays.

“Yes, it was decided last week,” a senior health official told The Express Tribune.

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

“At least 60 officials paid visits to almost all the facilities across the province,” the official said. “We [identified] a series of shortcomings. We also came up with ideas which will be implemented in the next eight to 10 days.”

As per the official, a number of factors were identified during visits of the health officials. These included the absence of staff members which were around 20 in number, besides medicines and other equipment.

“We have identified things and are here to correct them,” the official informed.

“We will not suspend them but will deduct the salaries of the employees found absent from their duties.”

The official also added the department planned to transfer the employees absent from duties to unattractive areas.

“We have identified people missing from duties in DI Khan, Chitral, Lakki Marwat, Tank, Nathiagali and Shinkiari,” the official added

“The other most important thing we learned during our visits is that we can cover and check all the health facilities across the province in 48 hours or we can say two days,” he stated. The official maintained the health department needed to focus more on emergency departments as compared to others.

When contacted, Health Secretary Abid Majeed confirmed the developments. However, he added a decision on those found missing during Eid holidays besides fulfilling the shortcomings was likely to be taken on July 11 (Monday).

Surprise visit

The health secretary visited District Headquarters Hospital Charsadda on the first day of Eid. During his visit, the medical superintendent and the deputy medical superintendent were absent from their duties.

According to officials, the health secretary arrived at the facility without any protocol after he heard a volley of complaints from the public.

Majeed met patients and staff members and heard their grievances.

A large number of staff members from various departments were found absent during the visit. Majeed voiced his displeasure over the spiral of inefficiency at the hospital.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 10^th, 2016.