PESHAWAR, Oct 4: A high-level meeting reviewed here on Friday the issue of the reinstatement of doctors who had resigned in protest against the ban on private practice.

The meeting, with NWFP health minister Inayatullah Khan in the chair, was convened in the light of the decisions taken by the provincial cabinet on Wednesday.

It was held to look into the pros and cons, legal ramifications and implications of the reinstatement of senior doctors and its fallout on the junior doctors who had been elevated in their places.

Also discussed was the alternative health relief package announced by the cabinet.

Speaking on the occasion, the health minister said the government had chalked out a comprehensive strategy for providing better health care facilities to the masses and solid steps were being initiated in this regard.

He further said that the government was well aware of the problems of the doctor’s community and steps were being taken to resolve these in a satisfactory manner.

The relief package approved by provincial cabinet in principle had got appreciation from the masses, he said.

The doctors, Mr Khan went on to say, were being consulted to implement the proposed package in letter and spirit. The provincial health minister appreciated the positive reaction of the doctors to government’s steps for the improvement of the health sector.

The meeting was also attended by provincial law minister Malik Zafar Azam, chief secretary Ejaz Ahmad Qureshi, health secretary Dr Ihsanul Haq, law secretary Amir Gulab Khan, finance secretary Ziaur Rehman and representatives of senior doctors.

On the occasion, a committee comprising administrative secretaries of health, finance and law departments and representatives of doctors was constituted to review the relief package thoroughly and put forth suggestions for its effective implementation.

Dr Arshad Javed, Dr Khalid Latif, Dr Syed Alam and Dr Umar Ayub will work as members of the committee. The committee will submit its report to the government shortly.

Speaking on the occasion, Malik Zafar said the government was fully aware of the importance of the health profession and serious steps were being initiated to resolve the problems of the doctor’s community.

Mr Ejaz Qureshi said health relief package would not only pave the way for the reinstatement of the resigned doctors but also reflect the sincerity of the present government for providing relief to the common man.

Appreciating the proposed health package, the representatives of the doctors termed the abolishment of the institution-based practice (IBP) a bold step of the present government.

The doctors said they were aware of their responsibilities in providing health care facilities to the people, and assured of their full cooperation to the government for the improvement of health services delivery system in the province.