‘Postgrads to make room for ad hoc docs’

YDA opposes decision, warns of protest.

LAHORE:

Postgraduate trainees would be transferred to teaching hospitals in other cities to make room for ad hoc medical officers in Lahore, Health Secretary Arif Nadeem said on Friday.

He was accompanying MNA Zahid Hamid and other government officials at a meeting with the Young Doctors Association (YDA) office bearers on Friday night.

The meeting was held to discuss proposals for a new service structure of doctors. It ended without any agreement.

Dr Mudassir Razzaq Khan, who attended the meeting on YDA’s behalf, said the decision violated the PPSC rules and was unfair.

He said, “The bureaucrats are creating a problem for the government again while political leaders are oblivious.”

Talking to The Express Tribune, he said that YDA was very clear on its stance. He said if any post graduate trainee was transferred, the YDA will protest against it and go to “any extent to protect their rights”.

“We will not tolerate unfair treatment of post graduate trainees to accommodate ad hoc doctors,” he added.

Regarding the service structure, he said the Association had informed the government that it will not withdraw any of its demands. He said Senator Ishaq Dar should meet a delegation of doctors and finalise the package.

Health Department spokesman said that the department had issued appointment orders for 848 woman medial officers on permanent basis. These, he said, had been selected by the Punjab Public Service Commission in July.

The newly appointed medical officers may visit the Health Department’s website: www.health.punjab.gov.pk  for ascertaining their place of posting, he added.

The spokesman also said that new medical officers should submit their joining reports to the Health Department through an email by Tuesday, August 21, by 4pm.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 19^th, 2012.