Physicians, surgeons: At Polyclinic, 70% posts remain vacant

Shortage of senior medical staff affecting hospital’s performance .

ISLAMABAD:

The government’s interest in improving the healthcare system can be gauged from the fact that 70 per cent of posts for physicians and surgeons at Polyclinic are vacant.

The capital’s second-largest public hospital caters to around three million patients every year, with some coming from as far as Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

The hospital only has 12 surgeons in grade 18 against 37 sanctioned posts in urology, ophthalmology, neurology, gynecology, cardiology, psychiatry and dental departments. Besides, posts for radiologists, pathologists, medico-legal surgeons, anesthetists and neonatologists have also been vacant for months.

The 545-bed hospital, established in 1966, is under the administrative control of the Capital Administration and Development Division (CADD). It also has 33 attached dispensaries and maternal and child care centres in different sectors of Islamabad.

A public hospital, its primary role is to provide free medical care to federal government employees and their dependents, while also remaining open to the general population.

The administration says that around 9,000 patients visit the hospital’s OPDs every day.

The increasing patient load and shortages of staff are affecting the hospital’s performance. The OPDs always seem crowded, while in emergency situations, patients often have to share beds.

There are two grade-20 posts — one for a consultant physician in cardiology and another for a consultant surgeon in thoracic surgery — vacant.

Similarly, there are only 20 medical officers against 204 sanctioned posts. A total of 246 posts for charge nurses are also vacant. Another 145 positions in grades 1 through 14 are also vacant. A post for a librarian and another for a pharmacist are also open.

Polyclinic Executive Director Dr Zahid Hussain said openings in grade 16 and above were advertised six months back. The Federal Public Service Commission held a written test and shortlisted candidates, but there was a slight delay on part of the commission in holding interviews, Hussain said.

“We have asked the FPSC to expedite the process, as the shortage of doctors is affecting the hospital,” he said.

The hospital used to hold tests and interview for appointments in grades 1 through 14, l but since the government instructed its departments to hire through exam bodies such as the National Testing Service, the process has been delayed. The hospital had advertised lower-cadre posts some five months ago, but the process is still incomplete.

Hussain hoped the vacancies will be filled in the next two-to-three months.

Minister of State for CADD Barrister Usman Ibrahim was not available for comment.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 12^th, 2015.