Deputation case: SC takes notice of bone marrow transplant unit closure reports

Chief justice seeks from CADD secretary within three days

ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar has taken suo moto notice of reported closing down of Bone Marrow Transplant Centre (BMTC) at Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), Islamabad. The notice was taken on application by parents of the children getting treatment.

They have stated that bone marrow transplant is the only cure available to children with thalassemia major and around 500 children are on the waiting list for transplants.

It further stated that doctors, nurses and staff at the centre have not been paid their salaries since July 2017 and they have now been told that their contracts will not be extended owing to administrative issues.



The transplant at a private hospital costs around Rs3 million, while it costs Rs1 million at Pims of which Rs0.6m is donated by Pakistan Baitul Mal.

The application also asserted that there is apprehension of closure of the Cardiac Centre, while the liver transplant unit at Pims has already been closed and the same is apparently for the benefit of private hospitals that are charging for more than the average citizen can afford.

Taking notice of the issue, the Chief Justice has called for a report from Secretary Ministry of Capital Administration and Development Division (CADD) within three days.

Deputation Issue

Separately, the CJ hearing the issue of deputationists said till the final decision on repatriation of health officials who were merged in federal hospitals no one will be sent back to their parent department.



The CADD presented the report to the court about healthcare providers from provinces who were appointed on deputation in federal hospitals but merged their services in the hospitals. The Chief Justice said until the court does not hear the complete matter doctors and other health officials will not be sent back.

There are many doctors working in different hospitals who were not repatriated despite court orders in 2016 when the officials of other departments were sent back to their institutions.

The report categorised them into five types and recommended to repatriate all health professionals to their parent departments. But it advised those lady doctors a who come under the wedlock policy can’t be repatriated.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 30^th, 2018.