Health dept, JPMC at odds over accounts officer appointment

Employees stage protest, threaten to intensify if the decision is not withdrawn

KARACHI:

A dispute has erupted between the Sindh Health Department and the JPMC administration over the appointment of an accounts officer, triggering protests from the hospital's Accounts Department staff.

The controversy stems from the health secretary's decision to appoint a new accounts officer at JPMC through the Sindh Public Service Commission (SPSC). The hospital administration, however, says that the post is promotional and must be filled internally, in accordance with service rules.

JPMC's Accounts Department staff staged a protest outside the Admin Block, chanting slogans against the Health Department and warning of a complete work stoppage if the appointment is not withdrawn. Protesters argued that filling the post through direct recruitment violates departmental promotion rules and undermines the career progression of existing staff.

Speaking to The Express Tribune, JPMC Executive Director Professor Shahid Rasul confirmed that the position of Accounts Officer has been vacant since 2021 following the retirement of the previous officer. He stated that an officer from within the hospital had already been promoted to the role and was drawing a salary accordingly.

However, he said, the Health Department recently issued orders for the appointment of a new officer through the SPSC. "This post is strictly promotional under the recruitment rules," Prof Rasul added. "Even when JPMC was under federal control, the Supreme Court had ruled that only promoted officers could be appointed to this post."

He further revealed that he had conveyed his objections to the health secretary, clarifying that handing over charge to an externally recruited officer is against the service rules. "The charge should be given either to the officer already promoted or to another eligible employee within the institution," he said.

Prof Rasul also spoke about the broader staffing crisis at JPMC. While 2,025 posts are sanctioned for the hospital, including 800 nurses, 400 technicians, and numerous consultants, recruitment remains suspended due to a stay order obtained by federal employees, he added.

He revealed that Rs2.75 billion in salaries went unutilised last year due to the stalled hiring process, and the situation remains unchanged this year. "We are left with only 280 nurses, which is far below the required strength," he lamented.

He further stated that a proposal was submitted to the Sindh health minister in 2024 to allow separate recruitment advertisements for departments like Emergency, Gynaecology, and NTC to address critical shortages, but the request remains pending.

Meanwhile, protesting employees have threatened to escalate their demonstration if their demands are not met, adding pressure on the Health Department to revisit its decision. The matter has also triggered a debate over the autonomy of JPMC's administration and adherence to established service rules.