Assembly panel orders reforms in health

The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Assembly's Standing Committee on Health met under the chairmanship of MPA Mushtaq Ahmad Ghani to review key health sector issues. The meeting was attended by Special Assistant to the Chief Minister on Prisons Humayun Khan, along with MPAs Ubaidur Rehman, Ijaz Khan, Taj Muhammad Tarand, Shehla Bano, Sobia Shahid, Abdul Salam, Sher Ali Afridi, Rehana Ismail and Ikramullah Ghazi.

The committee directed the Health Department to address the shortage of doctors and devise a two-year transfer policy to prevent monopoly, especially in cases where doctors have been posted at the same facility for five to ten years. It further stressed that general cadre doctors should not be appointed to management cadre positions.

Members announced surprise visits to hospitals to ensure that female patients' ultrasounds are conducted exclusively by female staff. They also warned that any union activities found in violation of rules would be disbanded under the law.

Health officials assured the committee that its directives would be implemented and informed that a biometric attendance system had been activated to ensure staff presence.

Concluding the meeting, Chairman Mushtaq Ahmad Ghani said all decisions were aimed at safeguarding public interest and ensuring maximum relief for citizens.