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to make appointments in the health department on a contract basis and warned of a sit-in if the cabinet’s move was not withdrawn forthwith.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 the 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 emphasized 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 instead of doctors in Basic Health Units.
It is worth mentioning that, a WHO report has exposed severe shortcomings in Balochistan’s healthcare infrastructure. Official records list 1661 healthcare facilities, including hospitals and basic health units (BHUs). However, the WHO found that 257 of these facilities do not exist. Among the remaining 1404 facilities, eight are in total disrepair but continue to receive government funding and medical supplies, and 140 are completely non-operational despite significant budget allocation.