The court directed the Sindh government not to take any coercive action against the employees - this included termination and transfer to any province or modification of the terms of the services. PHOTO: EXPRESS
The Sindh government, according to sources, is directly involved in the administrative affairs at the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC).
Sources claim that it has recently appointed the hospital’s head and has also asked the administration to share positions of vacant BPS-19 posts, ignoring court orders.
After the 18th Amendment, the federal government sent hospital employees to the provincial government on deputation in 2011. More than 157 employees of the JPMC, National Institute of Child Health and the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases filed a petition against the federal government’s decision.
The court directed the Sindh government not to take any coercive action against the employees - this included termination and transfer to any province or modification of the terms of the services.
Explaining it further, a source claimed that the status of JPMC was still in limbo on account of a subjudice petitition challenging the devolution of this federal institution to the province. “The court has already restrained the provincial government from administrative tweaking,” said the source. “As such the provincial government is not yet competent to make any promotions, transfers and postings at the hospital.”
A doctor who did not wish to be named told The Express Tribune that despite court orders, the Sindh government removed two top officials of the hospitals in June 2013. “This included the executive director while Prof Anisuddin Bhatti was appointed as the head of the hospital,” said the doctor. “Later, both officials were reinstated on court orders.” Sources revealed that the provincial health department still has not sanctioned rights of the employees such as health and deputation allowances but is interfering in its affairs. They suspect that the reason behind the delay was to convince employees to withdraw their case from the court.
New professor on the block
On February 9, Prof Bhatti was appointed again on recommendations made by the Sindh government. Sources claimed that Prof Tasnim Ahsan, the hospital’s former executive director, relinquished her charges on February 7. They added that Bhatti’s appointment order was issued on February 6 and he received it three days later.
The Express Tribune has learnt that the government bypassed three senior doctors and appointed Prof Bhatti without their consent - clearly ignoring the rules. Since his appointment, Prof Bhatti has been holding meetings with the staff and promising them that he will resolve their pending issues.
Sources, however, are convinced that Prof Bhatti has been tasked to coerce the staff to withdraw the case facilitating the Sindh government to merge the hospital with the Sindh Jinnah Medical University without any resistance. At the moment, more than 2,500 employees, including doctors and paramedical staff, are posted at the JPMC.
While talking to The Express Tribune, sources claimed that except one doctor - Dr Ruhina Baloch - no one was promoted after the devolution.
“I am not affiliated with any political party,” said Prof Bhatti, adding that his appointment was purely on merit. He accepted that he was third in row. “Both of the senior doctors avoided taking charge as the head of the hospital and it was in black and white.” He added that the court didn’t stop the provincial government from making appointments, just transfers.
According to Prof Bhatti, JPMC was in a bad condition. He said that the attendance had increased up to 90 per cent, adding that there was a delay in promotions as there was a lack of cooperation.
He claimed that there were 26 posts for professors but only seven were working. He said that out of 35 positions of the associate professors only six were there. “Hindrances are being created for promotions and appointment,” he said. “I am not looking back but looking forward. I want to bring change and resolve the issues faced by the staff.”
Published in The Express Tribune, February 23rd, 2015.
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