Repealing of Doctors Deputation Act demanded

The doctors community of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has demanded repealing controversial Doctors Deputation and Post-graduation Act and called for taking tangible measures for provision security to doctors in the province. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Legislative Assembly adopted a discriminatory Act for those doctors seeking post-graduation, said Provincial Doctors Association (PDA) President, Shah Sawar, while addressing a news conference, here on Friday.
According to the Act, he said it has been made mandatory for a practitioner to take extraordinary leave (EOL) during the post-graduation study, which is totally injustice and unfair. Dr Shah Sawar said they have already conveyed their concerns several times to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister, Speaker Provincial Legislative Assembly and Chairman Standing committee, but they had least bothered to pay attention towards the demand. "We again demand of the Provincial government to either make certain amendments into the law or abolition it entirely, he demanded.
Under the new law, he said that the government might allow deputation abroad for all categories of doctors only once in their entire service for a period not exceeding three years. "Any doctor selected or permitted for postgraduate medical training shall be treated on leave without pay and may be entitled only for stipend fixed by government from time to time," the law said.
The new law made mandatory upon the doctors, selected or permitted for postgraduate medical training, to provide surety bond prescribed by government that upon completion of his studies, they would compulsorily serve for three years in the district of their domicile. In case of non-availability of a post in the same district, he added, they would serve for three years in rural area.
Condemning the growing incidents of kidnapping for ransom of doctors, he said that they had always asked the provincial government and security agencies to take notice of the situation by devising a concrete security plan to undermine such incidents in future. Due to government vague response to their demand, he said, Dr Tariq Afridi, orthopaedic surgeon was lifted from the emergency gate of Lady Reading Hospital, which is a big question mark on the performance of the police and security agencies.
He said the government has failed to expose the faces involved in the business. "We will not remain long listen about the prevailing situation," he warned and decided that if the government not taking the issue seriously, then the doctors are autonomous to take any decision, including resignation from services.
Referring to the commitments made by the provincial government, he said that the demand of enforcement of four-tier formula and fixing of honorary for MCPS and TMOs was also included in their charter of demands, but not implemented yet. On the occasion, he announced that the PDA will hold a protest procession on October, 25 in premises of Lady Reading Hospital to decide the future course of action about their remaining issues and demands.