September 21, 2008	Sunday	Ramazan 20, 1429

ISLAMABAD, Sept 20: The Senate Standing Committee on Health here on Saturday expressed its shock over the rising cases of polio in different parts of the country.

About 55 cases of polio reported countrywide and the fact that no tangible efforts had been taken to eradicate the disease alarmed the committee’s members.

The committee suggested that the whole strategy needed to be reconsidered with a view to remove the bottlenecks and that parents be encouraged to vaccinate their children.

It sought a detailed report on the recommendations given by the committee to control the polio in the country. The committee also called for improving the quality of immunisation, monitoring and proper evaluation for eradication of the disease.

Senator Abdul Razak A Thahim presided over the meeting of the committee which also discussed in detail the issue of absorption of medical officers in the Federal Government Services Hospital currently working on deputation basis from various provincial departments for the last more than ten years.

It expressed concern over the delay, despite issuance of NOC for their absorption by their parent department/province and due recommendation of the ministry of health and concurrence of the Establishment Division to facilitate their absorption not only in FGSH but also in all the hospitals working under the health ministry.

The committee observed that the medical profession demanded that doctors should be provided a conducive working environment free from all emotional stresses to help them discharge their duties efficiently.

Along these lines, the committee recommended that the Establishment Division, health ministry and the FPSC should make necessary changes in the rules within six months to absorb these doctors in the federal government.

Although the FPSC had opposed to the absorption terming it contrary to the Civil Service Act, it was however assured by the ministry, Establishment Division as well as chairman FPSC that modalities would be worked out within six months for incorporation of necessary amendments in the rules to facilitate the absorption.