The Sindh Doctors Welfare Association (SDWA) and other associations protested against the transfer of Dr Usman Mako, the medical superintendent of Sheikh Hamdan Hospital in Ghotki, alleging that he was transferred because he exposed corruptions in his hospital.
Mako had complained to the Supreme Court about a Rs0.5 billion corruption after which the court ordered an enquiry into the matter. The doctors presented other corrupt practices in the Sindh health and services department on September 25 and Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah took notice of them the next day.
The delays and flaws in process of promotions, bribery in ACR matters and corruption in the chief minister’s hepatitis programme were some of the issues highlighted by the doctors.
A press statement by the SDWA alleged that promotions were not according to seniority. “Younger doctors were preferred over those who have been working longer,” said Dr Nisar Ali Shah, the association’s information secretary.
As there is no service structure for doctors for the last 65 years, promotions came after a lapse of 17 years although they were supposed to take place according to the four-tier ad hoc formula, said the doctors.
Around 232 male doctors were promoted from grade 17 to grade 18 in May and notified in August - but are reportedly still waiting for their postings. Around 154 lady doctors, who were due to get promotions in 2011, are also waiting for the Departmental Promotion Committee to be held.
The CM has directed an enquiry by the Chief Minister’s Inspection, Enquiries & Implementation team which will be headed by Syed Hassan Shah Bukhari.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 1st, 2012.
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