Protesting doctors not to be allowed to blackmail govt: Hisham

F.P. Report

PESHAWAR: Provincial Minister for Health, Dr. Hisham Inam Ullah Khan said that a comprehensive programme has been chalked out for devolution of administration authority and in this regard draft legislation for establishment of Regional and District Health Authorities has been prepared.

Addressing a press conference here at Media Cell of Information Department at Civil Secretariat on Thursday, Health Minister said this is for the first time in the history of the country that Regional and District Health Authorities are going to be establishment.

In the draft legislation, even the administrative authority of Health Minister is being devolved to the authorities at regions and districts levels.

The purpose behind this devolution is to end bureaucratic sluggishness in taking decisions regarding provision of cure and treatment facilities to people and for empowering local communities to take decision for better provision of health care to people at their door steps. The draft legislation has been approved by provincial cabinet and soon will be passed from provincial assembly for implementation, he added.

Dr. Hisham also dispelled the impression created by doctors that Nazims would have any say in Regional Health Authority and District Health Authority (DHA).

He said Provincial Minister for Local Government has also made a categorical statement in this regard to remove the apprehensions of doctors.

The RHA and DHAs will be free from political interference and will take decisions through its councils comprising of doctors, nurses, experts and community representatives. The RHA and DHA would have one time budget facility and will be allowed to take decision independently for purchase of equipment and medicines for provision of cure to patients. Besides the authorities would have had right to take decision for fulfilling requirements of manpower and will be free to make appointments through transparent process and on need basis.

“Establishment of RHA and DHAs is a very good decision and is part of the reforms introduced by Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf government,” remarked Dr. Hisham.

Referring to strike of doctors against formation of RHAs and DHAs, Health Minister said their service structure will not be disturbed through this system. Similarly, he continued, the ACRs of doctors will not be written by Nazims as claimed by some protesting doctors.

He also clarified that government is stuck to its policy of posting doctors to their district of domiciles with the objective of serving people of their respective area.

He said the biggest problem is lack of man power at majority of the districts of KP due to reluctance of doctors to serve in these areas.

Transfer of doctors will happen and without any discrimination and political interference, Hisham reiterated. Health Minister in a reference to protesting doctors said that `its high time for everyone to take responsibility of serving people and nation.