RAWALPINDI, Dec 8: After waiting for about one year, the Punjab government has appointed 20 doctors for the 98 Basic Health Units (BHU) in different parts of the district.

However, only seven of them have so far joined the health units.

As many as 30 posts of doctors in the basic pay scale (BPS) 17 remained vacant for the last one year.

During this period, only eight doctors were running the health units in the rural areas on ad hoc basis.

After recruiting 20 doctors through the Punjab Public Service Commission (PPSC), the government put their services at the disposal of the district health department.

Furthermore, the government also regularised the services of eight doctors who were working with the department for the last one year.

A senior official of the health department told Dawn on Sunday that most of the doctors were not willing to work in the rural areas. As a result, only seven have so far joined their duties.

“The department will wait for the doctors till next week and after that will send other names for appointment,” he said.

The official added that there were 78 dispensaries in the city areas and 15 posts of doctors lying vacant for the last two years.

“As many as 17 doctors are running 78 dispensaries and the patients have to go to government hospitals which are already crowded.”

He said senior laboratory in-charges were running most of the dispensaries.

“The issue has been brought to the notice of the government but to no avail,” he said.

When contacted, Executive District Officer (Health) Dr Zafar Iqbal Gondal said the provincial government had regularised services of eight doctors and appointed 20 more for the rural areas.

“Total 30 posts were vacant and all of the appointees came through the PPSC, so it took time for their appointment,” he said and added that the new appointees would join their duties soon.

Former Chairman Young Doctors Association Punjab Dr Mohammad Haroon told Dawn that there was a difference between the facilities provided to doctors in rural and urban areas.

“The salary is the same but the urban area doctors enjoy facilities of allowances. In city areas, there is no issue of transportation but in the rural areas doctors must have their own transport or hire taxis,” he said.