KARACHI: Holding the government responsible for the ‘mess’ at public-sector universities, representatives of the Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) and the Federation of All Pakistan Universities Academic Staff Association (Fapuasa) at a jointly held press conference on Friday at PMA House called upon the government to stop running public-sector universities on ‘ad hoc’ basis and make appointments on merit.

One of the most controversial appointments, they said, was of the vice chancellor of the Dow University of Health Sciences (DUHS) who is enjoying fourth term in office while the law permitted only two terms (a single term spanned over four years).

At the Liaquat University for Medical and Health Sciences (LUMHS), Jamshoro, the vice chancellors had completed two terms but continues to hold office against the law, they said.

“In the case of Karachi University (KU), the vice chancellor has been allowed to continue ‘till further orders’ after completion of his term in February this year. Neither the chancellor (the governor) has extended his term nor the search committee tasked to find and suggest names for the post of vice chancellor was allowed to do its job,” said Fapuasa general secretary-Sindh chapter Dr Shakeel Farooqi.

The Sindh University was being run by an acting vice chancellor, he added.

Objection was also raised to a series of retired officials’ appointments at key administrative posts at universities that included the LUMHS and Sindh University.

“The LUMHS has at least 12 retired officials at administrative posts, which included its pro-vice chancellor while retired persons are also posted as pro-vice chancellors on the SU campuses.

“The pro-vice chancellor of the Mehran University of Engineering and Technology, Khairpur campus, is also a retired official,” Fapuasa president-Sindh chapter Dr Shahnawaz Talpur said, citing a Supreme Court judgement which barred appointment of retired persons.

A retired official facing a corruption inquiry had been posted as registrar at the LUMHS, he said.

“Both education and the health sectors are in a great mess today and the government must take responsibility for that. Unfortunately, the government has done nothing significant, though the new chief minister had promised to do so and also imposed an ‘emergency’ in these areas when he joined in three months ago,” said Dr S.M. Qaiser Sajjad, the recently elected secretary general of PMA-centre.

The PMA, he said, would take up the issue of falling standards of medical education and the role of Pakistan Medical and Dental Council on a priority basis.

“The PMA wants to see the PMDC as an independent democratic and autonomous body. We will jointly struggle to get the PMDC bills passed by the parliament and end the prevailing chaos and confusion surrounding the council,” he said.

Showing concern over the government ‘apathy’ in providing financial support to the families of doctors who had fallen victim to city law and order situation, he said that these families were facing immense financial problems and the government must pay the amount it had promised.

On the PMA plans, he said, it would raise its voice to make basic health facilities in the country operational and launch awareness campaigns of preventable diseases with the help of media and pharmaceutical industry.

He also regretted official lethargy over the Health Care Commission bill and said if implemented in letter and spirit, it would resolve many critical issues being faced by the common man and medical fraternity today.

Published in Dawn, November 19th, 2016