QUETTA: The Young Doctors Association (YDA) has rejected the government’s decision to make appointments in the health department on a contract basis and warned of a sit-in if the cabinet’s move was not withdrawn forthwith.

Speaking at a press conference on Sunday, YDA president Dr Kaleemullah said the contract system would further damage the health department’s performance.

He pointed out that despite expiration of the contracts of ad hoc doctors they had not been paid their salaries.

The YDA president said that non-payment of salaries to over 150 ad hoc doctors in the province had caused concerns among them.

He emphasised that this “exploitation” of health department employees clearly demonstrates the government’s incompetence. He stressed that permanent employment was the right of doctors, and if the government did not address this issue, they were prepared to go to any extent to secure their rights.

Dr Kaleemullah mentioned that Civil Sandeman Hospital in Quetta served nearly half of the province’s population and despite challenges, doctors provided services out of a sense of duty.

However, he alleged, the government had failed to provide necessary medicines, equipment and other facilities, and did not take the issues faced by doctors and patients seriously.

In response to a question, the YDA leader alleged that funds allocated to the Peoples Primary Healthcare Initiative were being embezzled due to the lack of audit, and that paramedical staff were being appointed in place of doctors in Basic Health Units.

Published in Dawn, August 19th, 2024