PESHAWAR, July 23: The NWFP health department has decided to introduce an administrative cadre in the health sector, sources told Dawn.

A decision to this effect has been taken in view of the administrative problems emanating from various districts and sections, headed by doctors.

These doctors, the sources added, were unaware of administrative laws and were entirely at the mercy of office superintendents, who often misguided them on administrative matters.

"There are a large number of doctors whose experience and skill could not be utilised owing to non-existence of separate cadre for them. Introduction of administrative cadre would not only help improve the affairs of the health institutions, but would also provide rapid chances of promotion to the qualified doctors," said sources.

A meeting attended by high-ranking health officials and health minister, last month decided that a policy should be devised for future where promotion of the doctors working on the administrative posts would be made in accordance with their qualifications in health administration.

According to new arrangement, appointment to the posts in BPS- 17 shall be made by permanent transfer from among the cadre of medical officer in BPS-17 having qualification of Masters in Public Health/Health Management Planning and Policy/Hospital Administration/Health Information System or equivalent qualification from a recognized university as determined by the government with three years' service as medical officer.

Similarly, 70 per cent promotion to BPS-18 would be made on the basis of seniority-cum-fitness, whereas 30 per cent on the basis of initial recruitment on the recommendations of the Public Service Commission (PSC) from the candidates having passed MBBS and Masters degrees in public health systems with three years experience in the relevant field.

Ninety per cent promotion to BPS-19 would be made on the basis of seniority-cum-fitness and 10 per cent by initial recruitment on the recommendation of the PSC from the candidates already working in BPS-18 and having M. Phil or Ph.D with MBBS.

To BPS-20, promotion would be made on seniority-cum-fitness from the those already working in BPS-19. The government has also identified a total of 180 administrative posts, including BPS-17 (82), BPS-18 (60), BPS-19 (34) and BPS-20 (4), where the doctors fulfilling the laid down rules for appointment would be recruited.

These doctors, sources added, would be appointed on key posts in districts, directorate of health, Fata directorate of health and principals and vice-principals of paramedical institutes, nursing schools and health services academies.

A similar programme was proposed by the government in 2002, which was later deferred, following resentment shown by the general cadre doctors already working on the administrative posts.

The doctors said the government first sent their favourite doctors to universities in UK and Europe on scholarships to obtain degrees in health management and on return were awarded four advanced increments on salaries.

They said that the introduction of separate administrative cadre, especially for those having qualification in health management, was an encroachment on their right.

The general cadre doctors moved the court and an order was issued in their favour through which the introduction of the administrative cadre in health department was stayed.

This time it would be a replay of the past experience. "The government has already appointed doctors having qualification in health administration on the posts which were previously held by the planning and section officers at the health secretariat and directorate with a view to facilitate the smooth-sailing of different health programmes," said a source at the health directorate.

He added that after the introduction of the administrative cadre, the rest of the administrative posts would also be headed by doctors instead of the section officers.