20 June 2004	Sunday	01 Jamadi-ul-Awwal 1425

PESHAWAR, June 19: The newly-formed Frontier Doctors Association has called for provision of a proper service structure, regularization of all contractual doctors and filling up of all vacant posts.

Speaking at a news conference here on Friday, Dr Mohammad Habib, president of the FDA, presented the doctors' charter of demands.

Criticizing the government's past policy of contractual employment, he said that it had created a feeling of insecurity among the doctors, consequently they were finding it hard to focus their attention on their professional duties.

The president of the doctors' association said that doctors who were involved in their fields of specialisation should be given a stipend equalling the monthly salary of BPS-18 officers, adding that all those who have finished studies in their fields of specialisation should be appointed against vacant posts.

The provincial government, he said, should also ensure the payment of 50 per cent fee on behalf of a doctor to College of Physicians and Surgeons, Pakistan, from the Health Foundation funds, adding that as in Punjab, stipends of house officers should be increased to Rs8,000.

He also demanded that doctors who have recently completed their house jobs should be appointed against the existing vacancies.

Dr. Habib said that all doctors working in emergency departments should provided residential facilities within the premises of hospitals.

He also called for restoring higher qualification basis system, providing increments on major diplomas and certificates to deserving doctors.

Stressing the need for reactivating the Health Foundation, he said that it had been inactive for the past nine years.

He also called for acknowledging the services of doctors serving in remote rural areas, adding that the government should provide them some extra facilities.

He also called for ending nepotism and favouritism in the health department.