KARACHI, Dec 28: To ensure transparency in appointment of doctors at the Abbasi Shaheed Hospital, City Nazim Niamatullah Khan has asked the provincial authorities to involve the Sindh Public Service Commission in the recruitment process.

In a series of letters sent to Sindh Local Government department, the nazim pointed out that the hospital was facing an acute shortage of medical staff as a total of 70 vacancies of physicians and surgeons existed there, which should be filled on merit.

Eleven vacancies existed for associate consultants in the departments of medicine, orthopaedics, paediatrics, ENT, eye, oncology, dermatology, psychology and ICU of the healthcare unit.

In addition, 11 vacancies existed for consultants, ten for senior registrars, 29 for RMOs, besides nine senior positions, including those of medical superintendent and deputy medical superintendent.

Dr Faiyaz Alam of the city government told Dawn that since the hospital's inception, people have had reservations about the appointment of doctors at the hospital, besides some other institutions like it, which were run by the defunct Karachi Municipal Corporation.

Answering a question, he said due to a number of reasons, more than 50 seats had fallen vacant in the ASH over the years. "One reason was the ban on recruitment, which had made the hiring of doctors impossible, in lieu of personnel who had either resigned or retired.

"The other reason was the poor environment of the hospital, which had compelled many doctors to decline offers to work there. No matter, what the reasons, however, it is clear that the hospital badly needs medical staff as soon as possible," he elaborated.

Meanwhile, some sources said the city nazim had advocated changes in the recruitment process because he was worried about the future of the hospital. "The Jamaat-i-Islami may lose the next local bodies elections, after which the people from the other main party in the province will be taking over the control of the hospital," a source said, adding: "What kind of doctors this party will hire, nobody is sure. This is the reason why the nazim has called for appointment of doctors on merit."

ELEVATORS: The city government, following the directives of City Nazim Naimatullah Khan will install new elevators at the Abbasi Shaheed Hospital at a cost of Rs2,800,000, adds PPI.

Installation of these elevators will be completed by February, 2005, city nazim's special assistant Dr Fayyaz Alam said. The old elevators at the ASH had been damaged 17 years ago.

Dr Fayyaz Alam said that the city government had earlier bought the latest medical equipment worth Rs.35 million for the hospital, while its sewerage system had been changed at a coat of Rs20 million.

"The installation of new elevators will help patients reach various wards in the four floors of the hospitals. It will especially benefit the people visiting the children's ward," he said.

Expressing gratitude for the city nazim for installation of new elevators, Dr Alam said the city government was striving for better medical services in the city despite all difficulties.