LAHORE: The Punjab Health Foundation (PHF) has identified 145 defaulters of interest-free loan, including 27, who misutilised the loan by spending on other purposes instead of the stated requirement.

Considering that the PHF’s one per cent default rate might increase, its new management has taken up the recovery issue actively and in the last few months recovered over Rs10 million.

The PHF has issued recovery certificates to 25 loan defaulters as well as identifies 57 surcharge defaulters, 31 minor defaulters and five court cases.

Recently, the PHF has recommended the Punjab Specialised Healthcare and Medical Education Department to take action against Dr Adnan Afzal because he concealed the fact that he had joined the government service after receiving the loan.

According to the PHF Act, the borrower after getting a government job is required to inform the foundation and return the remaining loan amount in lump sum -- as acknowledged by the borrower in his affidavit submitted while applying for the loan.

PHF Managing Director Suhail Saqlain said he had ensured 48pc loan disbursement for doctors to set up their clinics and purchase diagnostic equipment. He said the foundation was also being restructured besides introducing new loan schemes, creating public private partnerships and collaborating with the Turkish Health Foundation.

Published in Dawn, December 2nd, 2016