KARACHI, March 11: The Federal Health Ministry is considering creating part-time slots in district and town health care units as well as in rural health centres for lady doctors who, owing to family responsibilities, are unable to practice medicine on full-time basis.

Sources talking to APP referred to the fact that women constituted a significant number of medical graduates, passing out each year from local medical schools. Yet, many of them were unable to pursue their professional career further shrinking the population-to-doctor ratio in the country.

With a view of addressing the situation and to help streamline the services of these doctors, a proposal has been forwarded to the Pay and Pension Commission, Ministry of Finance, headed by Moin Afzal.

Dr Ather Dil, answering a query, told APP that the salary package for these doctors was proposed to be in accordance with their serving hours. He maintained that the proposition has been largely appreciated by the commission. Formal approval is; however, awaited.

It may not be out of context to mention that following necessary confirmation the issue would be decided in consultation with concerned provincial and district government departments in the larger public interest.

Meanwhile, the Senate’s standing committee on health has also recommended a special package to be designed for lady doctors enabling them to serve at government-run clinics and hospitals on part-time basis, said the senior health official.

Dr Dil said the Ministry of Health was cognizant of the fact that girls constituted more than 50 per cent of admissions at most medical colleges in the country, and that they were often unable to pursue or continue with medical practice due to their family liabilities.—APP