PESHAWAR, Dec 30: The NWFP government has restored the monthly stipend for private trainee medical officers (TMOs).

The health secretariat has been notified the decision, which would benefit 250 TMOs currently undergoing postgraduate training in 32 specialities.

The stipend had been abolished on September 21 through a notification issued by the chief secretary.

The Postgraduate Medical Institute (PGMI) had made efforts for restoration of the stipend.

After the abolition of the stipend, PGMI Dean Prof Arshad Javaid had written to the health secretary, stating that it would lead to de-recognition of the PGMI by the College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan (CPSP) “as its rules do not provide for FCPS-II training for those not being paid mandatory stipend equivalent to the minimum salary of a scale-17 medical officer.”

He had urged the government to restore stipend for private TMOs and save his institution from being disaccredited by the CPSP.

Taking note of the situation, the chief secretary had asked the health department to send him a summary in this regard, said sources.

After a meeting of the provincial health minister, the health secretary and officials of the PGMI, a summary was sent to the chief secretary, asking him to restore the stipend.

However, the chief secretary returned the summary to the health department and directed that priority be given to government trainee doctors.

A revised summary sent to the chief secretary a few days back explained that both private and government trainee doctors were being enrolled in postgraduate courses according to their own quota of seats.

It was also explained that payment of stipend to private trainees would not affect government trainee doctors.

Convinced of the explanation, the chief secretary restored the stipend for the private TMOs two days back, said the sources.

Private trainee doctors, also referred to as non-government doctors, were initially inducted as honorary trainees without any remuneration.

However, in 1999, the CPSP framed new rules under which the stipend for private trainee doctors was made mandatory. As many as 35 additional seats were created for private trainee doctors at that time.

The number was increased to 120 in the year 2000 and to 250 in 2003.