In a bid to ensure availability of staff in the state-run hospitals, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has decided to give only a single three-year deputation to doctors for serving in other departments and institutions.
Through some reliable sources, Pakistan Today learnt that more than 500 posts of doctors are currently vacant in basic health units (BHUs) and rural health centres (RHC) throughout the province. Almost occupants of these posts are serving in international organisations while enjoying attractive perks and salaries.
Some of these doctors are even working abroad. The sources in Health Department say some of the senior doctors have become habitual of extending deputation and are serving the UN and other national and international bodies for the last two decades. On such grounds, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government decided terminating deputation granted to doctors for more than two terms. However, some officials in the Health Department are protecting their colleagues.
According to latest record of the Health Directorate, around 165 doctors are on deputation and 28 of them are working abroad including 15 in Saudi Arabia, eight in Thailand, three in Malaysia and two in Oman. Sixteen others are working with the UN-affiliated bodies providing services in health, children and education sectors.
The officials say the deputation period of 66 doctors has already completed and they are directed to join their duties at the earliest. But the doctors concerned are reluctant to do so. So far, the Health Directorate has forwarded a requisition to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Public Service Commission for filling posts of 439 medical officers on emergency grounds. After getting recommendations from the commission, the provincial government could overcome deficiency of medical officers in rural and far-flung areas.
But the insiders in the Health Department believe that reluctance on the part of doctors is becoming a serious problem for filling vacancies in the rural areas, as almost all doctors desire posting in Peshawar and other major cities of the province.
