PESHAWAR: Non-appointment on key posts of directors general health services and provincial health services academy have been affecting the working of health department, according to sources.

They said that there were two posts of director-generals in health department. “One is director general health services (DGHS) and other is director general of Provincial Health Services Academy (PHSA). The latter retired two months ago and a senior doctor was assigned to look after his duty on acting charge basis,” they said.

PHSA is responsible for training and courses of health employees for promotion and academic purposes. The academy also runs nursing colleges and paramedical and public health schools where lady health workers and mid wives are being trained.

They said that director general health services, Dr Shaukat Ali, was suspended by provincial government last week but the post was not filled. DGHS supervises healthcare services in the entire province.

Secretary says he has written to chief secretary about filling the positions

Health Secretary Mahmood Aslam Wazir told Dawn that he had written letters to the office of chief secretary in both cases.

“In order to ensure transparency and fairness, I have written chief secretary’s office to direct establishment department to probe the issue through senior officers outside health department,” he said when asked about the suspension of DGHS and appointment of his successor.

According to him, they have already appointed Dr Basit Salim on acting charge basis and now have sent summary for his regular posting as director general of PHSA to the relevant authorities.

Mr Wazir said there was no delay from his office as both positions were important and they wanted to fill them.

Sources, however, said that there were few additional directors general of health but the post of DGHS needed to be filled at the earliest because it was vital for making important decisions.

“The inquiry team is yet to be constituted by the government but meanwhile acting DG should be appointed to ensure smooth operations. DG is required to take vital decisions regarding public health matters as well as represent government in meetings with international delegations,” they said.

Dr Shaukat Ali, who remained DG health for 15 months, was suspended last week allegedly for receiving bribe from an employee for transfer. “Suspension of DG was meant to ensure transparent inquiry into allegations against him. Delay in the inquiry is hampering day-to-day affairs at the directorate general health services,” said sources.

According to them, DG health is second top position after health secretary and is required to look into the transfers and public health issues in the province. “The position has assumed added significance in view of the rainy season, which is likely to cause outbreak of diseases in many districts. The DG is required to supervise the whole province and remain in touch with UN agencies and other organisations for joint strategies,” they said.

DG health also presents field situation with regard to health issues to secretary and government for planning and subsequent decisions at the policy level. “Therefore, someone from the existing additional DGs should be entrusted the charge on acting basis,” said sources.

Same is the case with PHSA, which has been operating without permanent DG for two months. Its former DG Dr Sahib Gul retired two months ago but his replacement is yet to be made. It is adversely impacting the training of staff and other academic activities at the academy.

“Both the positions are very important to be filled as in many cases file work cannot be completed without their signatures,” said sources.

Published in Dawn, May 4th, 2024