THATTA, July 12: Retrench-ment of six doctors and 49 paramedics by the district administration has compounded problems for the patients as well as the sacked employees.

Representatives of the sacked employees, including Dr Aslam Memon, Dr Ghulam Shabbir Shah, dispensers Deedar Hussain Mirani, Dastagir Memon, Shah Mohammad Shah and others told journalists that they had been politically victimised.

They said they would soon launch a campaign for their reinstatement.

District Nazim Syed Shafqat Hussain Shah Shirazi said that he had issued only show-cause notices to the concerned officials including the EDO of health to direct the employees verbally not to perform duties but they retrenched them without any reason.

He said that Thatta DCO and EDO health had violated the relevant rules by retrenching the employees without any order of Sindh or district governments.

He said the sacked employees were being paid salaries from Rs300,000 fund from parchi fees and budget allocation by the district government. Several rural health facilities were now without dental surgeons, 16 medical officers, seven women medical officers, and 49 paramedics, he said.

He expressed concern over deteriorating condition of health facilities and said that he would soon convene a meeting council to discuss and debate only one point, the health facilities.

Three separate processions were held in Chuhar Jamali, Vaar and Gharo towns seeking reinstatement of sacked employees. Led by Dr Habib Khawaja, Yar Mohammad Shah and Jamshed Memon the protesters marched on main thoroughfares of the towns.

Thatta DCO Dr Laeeq Memon said that the employees were appointed on contract hence they were bound to go after the government abolished contract system.

The condition of 59 health facilities in the district and the Makli Civil Hospital is deteriorating with each passing day. The hospital’s cardiology ward has been virtually closed after transfers of cardiologist Dr Nazeer Memon and surgeon Dr Ghulam Mustafa Memon.

EDO of health Juman Chandio refused to comment on the situation.