The Capital Administration and Development Division (CADD) has planned to introduce a new career structure for health professionals serving in the public sector health institutions through ‘Career Structure for Health Personnel Act 2012’ to be introduced shortly in the parliament.
According to a copy of the draft act available with Pakistan Today, the new career structure will be streamlined with the objective of the scheme and the career growth of health professionals will be linked to enhancement in the professional education and skills through training, continuing education, higher qualifications, professional experience, research papers and performance laid down by the relevant regulatory bodies from time to time.
According to the draft, the health personnel opting to remain in the existing structure (BPS) will continue to remain entitled to all the facilities, perks and privileges currently admissible under the existing laws, orders and instructions as on June 30, 2011.
The Health Pay Scale 2011 stipend for doctors (including stipend for postgraduate trainee doctors (medical and dental) has been proposed as Rs 50,000 per month and for house officers (medical and dental) Rs 25,000.
Non-practicing allowance (NPA), health allowance and other allowances for health personnel pay scale (HPS) will be Rs 20,000 for HPS-9 and HPS-10, Rs 40,000 for HPS-11 and Rs 80,000 for HPS 12 and 13.
According to the bill, basic pay scale medical professionals from Grade 17 to 22 will be hired through Federal Public Service Commission while financial perks and benefits will be given as per the federal government policy for its employees. The Esta Code rules will be applicable to the basic pay scale employees.
Medical and non-medical officials are being given option by the government to either retain the basic pay scale or opt for new health personnel scale.
The health personnel scale employees from Grade 1 to 13 will benefit mainly from the enhanced allowances provided in the new structure, starting from Rs 2,000
and up to Rs 45,000 per month, a 250 per cent raise.
The health personnel scale entitles the health personnel to the health allowance (HA) and medical doctors and dentists to non-practicing allowance (NPA).
The recruitment system, according to the drafted bill, has been changed since medical professionals were previously hired through the Federal Public Service Commission. However, new rules will be framed for the selection of HPS employees since they were not selected through FPSC or other government procedures. The new scheme will ensure career growth of health professionals in the benefit of entire health care delivery system and to regulate appointment of health personnel, the document sated. (The information was shared by a senior federal official).
