QUETTA: The Balochistan government on Wednesday ordered immediate recruitment of doctors in the province to end a shortage of doctors in far-flung areas of Balochistan.

Chief Minister Abdul Qudoos Biz­enjo issued the order while approving a summary sent to him by health secretary Saleh Muhammad Nasar.

“As many as 897 male and female doctors would be recruited on an ad hoc/contract basis on vacant posts in various categories in the health department,” health officials said, adding that the vacant posts include male and female medical officers, dental surgeons, specialists, assistant professors and a senior registrar.

The doctors to be recruited will be posted in remote areas of the province where they were not available at present.

“The aim of the provincial government’s move is to immediately end shortage of doctors and provide treatment facilities to the masses at their doorsteps,” the chief minister said, adding that the newly recruited doctors would not be appointed in any big hospital of the province.

Mr Bizenjo said a committee, led by health secretary, would supervise the recruitment process and the IT department would set up a monitoring mechanism to ensure attendance of recruited staff and their performance.

Published in Dawn, March 9th, 2023