LAHORE: In an unexpected move, the Punjab chapter of Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) has announced its support for the Medical Teaching Institutions (Reforms) Ordinance 2019 with a resolve to push for its enforcement.

The decision comes at a time when many associations and staff unions at government hospitals across the province are gearing up to launch a vigorous movement against the ordinance.

A new association called Young Consultants Association Pakistan, led by founding president of the Young Doctors Association (Punjab) Dr Hamid Butt, sprang up recently and was taking the lead in uniting representatives of all medical employees, including doctors, nurses and paramedics, on a platform against the new law.

The PMA Punjab delegation had held a meeting with Minister for Health Prof Dr Yasmin Rashid on Sept 19 on the MTI Ordinance 2019 when the government sought its help to steer it out of the crisis. Specialised Healthcare and Medical Education Special Secretary Mian Shakeel Ahmad and technical adviser Dr Akhtar Rasheed were among those who attended the meeting from the government’s side.

According to minutes of the meeting released later, the PMA apprised the authorities that the association was not against the MTI Ordinance. They said the doctors community just needed clarity on some issues before the implementation of the law in Punjab, mainly privatisation of the state-run hospitals, composition of the boards of governors, provision of free medicines, seniority issues and job security. The delegation also demanded induction of medical professionals into the board instead of private people only.

Dr Rashid rejected the reports that state-run hospitals were being privatised. She said that the MTI Ordinance is being introduced only to reform the health system. Initially, she said, it will be implemented in six teaching institutions of Punjab as a pilot project. The ordinance only proposes administrative and financial autonomy for the hospitals, she said, adding that the Punjab government shall present one-line as well as a development budget, if and when required.

She also told the delegation that under MTI Ordinance the Punjab government would conduct annual audit of the public money provided to these institutions. There would be a policy council at provincial level comprising the health minister, additional chief secretary and health secretary besides other dignitaries to draft and give policies to the BOGs.

“The benefit of this autonomy is that the hospitals will be in a position to resolve their daily issues at local level by avoiding bureaucratic complexities,” the health minister explained. She asked that if during her tenure the Pakistan Kidney and Liver Institute and Research Centre could be taken back into government control, how can government hospitals be privatised.

“The jobs are fully secured; the doctors shall be given ample opportunity and time to decide whether they want to continue with the said status on deputation in these institutions or work under boards of governors,” Prof Rashid said. She also clarified that the boards would not be able to dismiss any doctor without assigning valid reasons.

About the right of appeal, she told the delegation that if the hospital committee took action against any employee, he/she would have the option to appeal to three tiers: board of governors, provincial review committee and higher courts.

The minister made it clear that there was no harm in presenting demands democratically, but closure of outpatient departments and emergencies would not be allowed.

The special secretary offered the PMA delegation to nominate four people to discuss the issues for further clarity. The association nominated Dr Sahibzada Masoodus Syed, Prof Dr Tanweer Ahmad, Dr Kamran, Prof Dr Ashraf Nizami, Dr Rai and Dr Saood.

The PMA also submitted some suggestions stating that the services of doctors not be terminated without assigning reasons and medical qualification be made compulsory for posts of medical and administrative directors.

Published in Dawn, September 24th, 2019