PESHAWAR: The Board of Governors of Lady Reading Hospital has ignored the proposal of teachers association to support the government in enforcement of Medical Teaching Institution Reforms Act in return of more privileges, according to sources.

They said that Dr Musa Kalim, president of Teachers Association Postgraduate Medical Institute, wrote a three-page letter on March 9 to the BoG members, asking them to consider the 26-point proposal to pave way for smooth enforcement of the new law.

“Teachers are willing to withdraw petitions against the appointments being made in accordance with MTIRA if their suggested are accepted but government is not in serious mood to talk to doctors. The government wants to proceed with its reforms plan,” sources said.

Dr Musa said that they wanted to collaborate with BoG members and other stakeholders if their feelings of insecurity about their future under the new system were removed. He said in the letter that the new system was being enforced arbitrarily and their request for meeting was turned down.

The letter said that there should be ‘one bed for one patient’ policy to prevent cross infection while free treatment and investigations should be given to all admitted patients. It said that in the outpatients department 15 to 20 minutes should be consumed on examination of one patient to not only ensure proper medical care but improve teaching and training, too.

The letter advised the BoG to put in place referral system and ask district hospitals to send patients to tertiary hospitals in Peshawar when facilities didn’t exist there. It said that doctors performing “on call duty” besides consultants working on Saturday and Sunday (weekends) on calls should get benefits in shape of payment or off from the duty.

The letter said that terms and conditions for those employees, who were recruited by management committees before the enforcement of the new law, should remain the same. It said that institution-based practice should be started as soon as possible.

The letter said that they moved court against the new appointments when BoG didn’t entertain their application, seeking information about the origin of the posts. Had their request been fulfilled, they wouldn’t have gone to court, it added.

The letter demanded health professional allowance for doctors, no discrimination on the basis of IBP, locum cover for consultants, end to anti-doctors propaganda, defining role of BoG, hospital and medical directors and enhanced perks and privileges to make the new system work.

However, sources said the BoG ignored the letter and didn’t want anyone to make suggestions. “There is a complete law which we are following. If there are cases against MTI, the government has already proved the law is genuine. The government will explain to the court about the cases filed by doctors,” a senior BoG member said.

He said that majority of doctors and health workers and faculty members supported the reform programme and there was no way of stopping the government from enforcement of the law passed by the assembly and cleared by the court. “We don’t need letter which is full of untruths, misdirection and threats and the BoG chose to ignore It.” he said.

Published in Dawn, March 16th, 2016