KARACHI, June 10: Despite the fact that there are more than 15,000 doctors associated with the provincial health department, almost 1,600 posts for physicians/surgeons are lying vacant in public sector facilities in rural areas.

Sindh Health Secretary Prof Naushad Shaikh talking to APP on Saturday said that 1,100 posts of medical professionals in Grade 17 and 500 posts of medical specialists in Grade 18 were vacant as those appointed in remote areas had got themselves transferred at urban facilities.

Contrary to the scenario in rural health care centres, each single position in urban units and institutions were being covered by more than three professionals.

“We do have laws making mandatory for the doctors assigned responsibility to serve at their respective site of posting but strong pressures and influences prevent us from taking action,” he said.

The secretary claimed that the provincial health department was initiating massive reshuffling to address the situation and staffers working for more than 10 to 20 years at administrative posts were being transferred to other departments.

“To further streamline the situation, clear orders have been issued that no file will be kept pending,” he said.—APP