LAHORE, July 22: The Ad hoc Public Accounts Committee grilled Punjab Health Secretary Hasan Waseem Afzal on Monday for allowing medical superintendents to unilaterally decide rates for various facilities at the government hospitals.

Discussing audit paras relating to the health department, the PAC members inquired whether or not the medical superintendent of the Aziz Bhatti Shaheed Hospital, Gujrat, was competent to set up a doctors’ committee to decide laboratory tests and consultation charges.

They surprised to see that the committee comprised doctors who were to receive a lion’s share (55 per cent) in the income so earned by the hospital. The government was to receive 45 per cent of the earnings.

No rules but upper limit of the charges had been fixed by the provincial government, the health secretary informed the PAC meeting presided over by Riaz Husain Bokhari.

However, he said the district Nazim, DCO and EDO (health) were authorized to frame rules for the purpose.

A member, Chaudhry Muhammad Aslam, observed that the department was delegating powers to district authorities in the name of devolution.

He said that if allowed, there would be variations in charges of various districts.

He regretted that the department was concentrating on the autonomy (of hospitals) business and allowing the district authorities to set rates for various tests and check-ups. Most people in rural areas were illiterate and they could be overcharged in the absence of standard rules.

Another member suggested that if possible the fee recovered by the ABS Hospital authorities should be refunded to the patients concerned. He apprehended that the authorities might not have deposited the 45 per cent government’s share in the treasury.

Admitting the possibility of variations, a finance department official informed the PAC that it would be within the limits prescribed by the provincial government.

He said that under the rules the MS was competent to set up the committee, however, it could not decide the increase as it was the prerogative of the provincial government.

Taking a note of the irresponsible use of airconditioners in the health offices at the provincial civil secretariat, the PAC directed the health secretary to bring it in line with the government’s policy.

In an ‘uneconomic purchases’ case from Narowal, it found that the officer who had drawn the amount was exonerated of the charge while inquiries were being held against junior clerks and peons, etc.

The committee surprised to see that the inquiry officer was of the same rank as was of the accused. It feared that being an officer of the same rank and living in the same town, the accused could have influence the decision of the inquiry officer.

Earlier, the PAC discussed audit paras related to the Lahore High Court’s appropriation accounts for the years 1998-1999 and 1999-2000.

The PAC settled most of the paras of 11 grant, and directed LHC registrar Moazzam Hayat that some items of 11 grant should be reconciled with the accountant-general.