LAHORE: The Allama Iqbal Medical College (AIMC) has appointed a senior doctor as professor of endocrinology “on an honorary basis” allegedly in violation of rules.

The appointment came after the Board of Management (BoM) of the AIMC/Jinnah Hospital, Lahore accorded approval allowing Prof Khurshid Ahmad Khan to carry out both the teaching and curative activities at the institute. The decision has raised eyebrows and many doctors of the institute have described it as an unhealthy practice of obliging a person in the name of ‘honorary appointment’ despite the fact that he is not a regular government employee.

An official privy to the information told Dawn that the BoM had no authority to hire a doctor against top slot without the recommendations of the Special Selection Board, a high-powered body that is only constituted by the Punjab government for the purpose.

“The Board shall consist of such number of members (including at least thirty-three per cent women) as may be determined by the government,” reads the Section 10 (1) of the Act 2003.

The official said according to the procedure defined in the Act, the Special Selection Board sends its recommendation to the BoM which after approval forwards the case to the health department for issuing a notification accordingly. He further said there is no provision in the Punjab Medical and Health Institutions Act 2003 to appoint a senior doctor ‘on an honorary basis’ rather he or she can be appointed on an ad hoc basis.

The clause 1 of the Section 9 of the Act clearly defines, “the government or, as the case may be, the Board may appoint such persons in the service of Institution, as may be necessary, on the recommendations of the Special Selection Board: Provided that the government or, as the case may be, the Board may temporarily fill up an existing vacancy on an ad hoc basis for a period of six months or till the arrival of the new incumbent recommended by the Special Selection Board, whichever is earlier.”

Setting aside the rules, the official said, AIMC Principal Prof Arif Tajammal proposed name of Prof Khurshid Ahmad Khan before the BoM to hire him ‘on an honorary basis’.

Interestingly, he said, the AIMC principal himself issued a notification in this regard. “Consequent upon decision of BoM in its 126th meeting, the institution is pleased to allow Dr Khurshid Ahmad Khan, professor of endocrinology to work as part of the faculty at Jinnah Allama Iqbal Institute of Diabetes & Endocrinology on honorary basis, to carry out both teaching and curative activities,” reads the notification issued by the AIMC principal.

Since, the newly hired senior doctor was not working as government employee in any major public hospital of the city, he can’t be held accountable for any medical negligence, or damage to the patient under the state laws in case of any medical negligence or blunder.

Health Secretary Saqib Zafar, Special Secretary Health Shakeel Ahmad and AIMC Principal Arif Tajammal declined to comment on the issue.

Published in Dawn, April 5th, 2019