Based on domiciles: K-P govt recruits 854 doctors in province

Offers attractive salary packages to those deputed at periphery facilities

PESHAWAR: In view of the shortage of medical officers and different health facilities across Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, the health ministry has accelerated the process of hiring and deputing doctors at all vacant positions.

According to officials, the health ministry was receiving complaints about shortage of staff which was increasing the burden on hospitals. They said a number of health facilities, especially in peripheries, were being run without doctors.

“The situation was terrible and many rural health centres, basic health units and even civil hospitals lacked doctors,” a health official said. He requested anonymity as he was not authorised to speak to the media.



The official added in some cases, doctors were appointed but were reluctant to report to the concerned health facility.

He said doctors were appointed but even after receiving their salaries, were unwilling to report to duty.

The official said the government later devised a new strategy whereby those deputed at peripheries were offered attractive salary packages compared to those deputed in cities.

“The strategy of government officials worked and doctors starting appearing at their designated facilities,” he said, adding, officials were being deputed according to their domiciles.

When contacted, Secretary for Health Abid Majeed said 854 doctors have been appointed at different health facilities across the province.

He said doctors were still being appointed according to the waiting list, adding all recruitments were being made on ad hoc basis and doctors were being posted according to their domiciles. “We have also filled 130 vacant posts in Federally Administered Tribal Areas based on the same criteria,” Majeed told The Express Tribune.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 13^th, 2016.