Objections over upgrading general cadre doctors

PESHAWAR:

In a surprising move, the provincial government has objected to the proposed upgrade of general doctors under the four-tier formula, prompting the health department to appoint a liaison to help resolve the matter amicably.

The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Establishment Department on Thursday objected to a proposal to upgrade general cadre doctors in the province under the four-tier formula.

As a result, the process of upgrading doctors in the province has been delayed again.

The provincial health department swiftly worked to take up the matter with the district finance officers and issued instructions to the respective district health officers (DHOs) in this regard.

A letter sent to the DHOs by the K-P Health Services director-general read that after securing approval of the finance department, the Health Department had upgraded some posts of general cadre doctors under the four-tier formula.

The posts, however, are not included in the current budget.

The establishment department, however, has taken a stand that the promotion of doctors will not be considered until it is included in the provincial budget. Hence, the matter should be taken up with the relevant district finance officers as per the June 12 announcement of the finance department.

A list of upgraded posts has also been provided to the DHOs.Meanwhile, the provincial health department has appointed basic pay scale (BPS) grade 19 officer and Provincial Health Services Academy Public Health Director Dr Rizwanullah as the focal person to liaise between the health services directorate and the civil secretariat over the promotion of doctors in all cadres.

He will work for the development of doctors in the Health civil secretariats. he will also keep the health secretary informed about the development of doctors regularly.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, December 7^th, 2020.