Sindh to get 6,000 medical officers as CM approves summary

Health dept told to regularise services of doctors appointed on contract in 2014

KARACHI: Approving the summary for appointment of 6,000 medical officers who cleared written test of Sindh Public Service Commission, Sindh chief minister (CM) Murad Ali Shah has directed the health department to issue offer letters to successful candidates.

The CM issued these orders while presiding over a meeting of health department, to review policies and its development portfolio at New Sindh Secretariat on Thursday morning. The CM further directed the health department to regularise the services of 377 doctors who were appointed on contractual basis in 2014.

Those who attended the meeting included health minister Dr Sikandar Mendhro, chief secretary Rizwan Memon, chairperson planning and development board M Waseem, health secretary Fazal Pechuho, finance secretary Hassan Naqvi and other officers.



Briefing the CM, Mendhro said there were 8,128 sanctioned posts of grade B-17 medical officers, including 6,765 for male and 1,363 for female in Sindh against which 4,243 doctors were working. "This shows that 3,885 positions of doctors, including 3,329 male and 556 positions for females are vacant," he said. Mendhro added that out of 3,885 positions, 377 were filled on contract in 2014.

Health secretary said 3,508 positions of medical officers were vacant and another 3,175 positions have been created. Overall, 6,683 posts for medical officers are vacant across Sindh.

The CM directed health secretary to issue offer letters to all those medical officers who have qualified in the written test.

The CM approved the summary and issued directions to the health department to prepare a detailed plan for posting of the new doctors.

The new medical officers who are being appointed must be posted in rural areas where their services are required, the CM said. He added that none of the newly appointed doctors will be transferred or given leave for higher education for one year.

The CM expressed his displeasure that despite his clear instructions to appoint 6,000 medical officers, unnecessary delay has been caused. "This red-tapism has affected performance of the government," he said.

The doctors have already qualified in the written tests and their services are highly needed because hospitals, along with all required equipment, are available but there are no doctors.