LARKANA, Oct 28: The Sindh minister for health and population welfare, Maj Gen (r) Ahsan Ahmed, announced to increase salaries of the contract doctors from Rs 5941 to Rs 6941.

The raise would be effective from December 2001.

Talking to the joint delegation of Pakistan Medical Association (PMA), Larkana and Contract Doctors Forum (CDF) here on Sunday, the minister agreed to allow CMC doctors to undertake postgraduate studies in Lahore and Karachi for which the Sindh health department would have no objection.

Dr Ikram Tunio, president PMA, called for the completion of PMA house that had been left in halfway. The minister assured to restarting the work. The minister did not give clear answer to the demand of regularizing the contract doctors when Dr Govinda drew his attention, and the minister declined to clear the 17 months previous salary. The minister said that the son of the assassinated doctor Ubedullah Kakipto, medical superintendent of Taluka hospital Ratodero, would be given the job of medical officer.

UTP DIES: An under trial prisoner (UTP) Rahib Chandio, admitted to Chandka Medical College Hospital from central prison Larkana died on Sunday. The hospital sources said the deceased was a heroin addict.