LAHORE: Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department Secretary retired Capt Muhammad Usman has banned all kinds of appointments of doctors and other staff of his department on general duties.

In his orders issued on Saturday, he said it was observed that officers appointed on general duties were found absent from their posts generally.

While ending a destructive malpractice of appointment of doctors and staff to the seats of their own choice, he made it clear that the doctors and staff members would perform their duties on their allotted seats only.

Meanwhile, no more doctors and staff would be appointed on general duty as attachés, on special and temporary basis.

The department concerned was directed to ensure implementation of this decision in letter and spirit and report back in one week.

The secretary also abolished the practice of appointment of the staff members on multiple posts. Strict action would be taken against violators, he said.

“We are ensuring the best health facilities across the province and this is only possible when malpractice of, already allocated staff’s appointments to their favorite posts, is completely abolished,” said Mr Usman.

INTERVIEWS: Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department Secretary retired Capt Muhammad Usman conducted interviews for 13 vacant administration level seats at the district level.

All those appeared for interview were serving at BPS-18 to grade 20 slots across the province.

The vacant slots of the district health officer (Preventive) shall be filled in 11 districts, namely Gujranwala, Kasur, Multan, Sahiwal, Bhakkar, Nankana Sahib, Bahawalpur, Layyah, Rahim Yar Khan, Chiniot and Mandi Bahauddin.

The candidates were also interviewed for the slot of the health chief executive officer and medical superintendent of two other districts.

As many as 54 candidates were shortlisted owing to their previous service record, working experience and qualification. Aspiring candidates were given seven days for submitting their applications.

Published in Dawn, January 19th, 2020