DADU, Jan 19: Sindh health secretary Dr Naushad A. Shaikh has said that 1,000 doctors and 3,000 paramedics will be appointed during the current year to meet shortage of staff in hospitals.

He was talking to reporters at the civil hospital here on Thursday.

He said the doctors would be appointed through the Sindh Public Service Commission.

Dr Shaikh said health officials were pressurizing him for their transfers and postings.

He made it clear that he would not accept pressure regarding transfer or posting of any official.

The secretary advised health officials to mend their ways as complaints against them were increasing.

He directed health EDO Dr Dhani Bux Thebo to conduct an inquiry into affairs of the civil hospital and send him report within seven days.

Dr Shaikh said chest specialist Dr Mohammad Rafi Siddiqui and cardiologist Dr Zahoor Ahmed Shaikh were posted at the civil hospital while two doctors and two paramedical staff would be imparted training for the dialysis centre.

Later, the health secretary visited the Johi taluka hospital and inquired about stocks of various drugs.

PROTEST: Students of the Ustad Bukhari Degree College for boys took out a procession against construction of dams on the Indus river.