December 12, 2008	Friday	Zilhaj 13, 1429

KARACHI, Dec 11: A large number of patients reporting at various government hospitals had to suffer because of low attendance of doctors, paramedics and other staff on Thursday, although it was a working day.

Health department officials said that only 30 per cent employees turned up at various health care facilities on Thursday. They said many doctors and paramedical staff employed in hospitals in Karachi belonged to the interior of Sindh. Since they had left for their hometowns to celebrate Eid, it was expected that they might not return to their duties on Thursday.

However, the officials hoped that most of the employees might report at the places of their duties on Friday.

Salaries not paid

Meanwhile, sources in the health department said that about 170 doctors and paramedical staff performing their duties at the city government hospitals had not been paid their salaries for five months.

These employees were recruited under the Sindh Devolved Social Services Programme a few years back.

They have been performing their duties at CDGK-run hospitals, including the Sindh Government Children Hospital, Sindh Government Hospital New Karachi, Urban Health Centre (North Karachi) and Urban Health Centre (Lal Market, New Karachi).

EDO Health Dr A.D. Sajnani, when contacted, said that the disbursement of their salaries had been stopped after objections were raised by the Sindh Accountant-General office.

However, he added, the objections had since been removed and the AG Office would issue cheques of their salaries on Friday.—PPI