Underqualified doctors head public hospitals

Express Tribune

21-04-2025

The qualification requirements for job postings ensure that only those applicants possessing the bare minimum academic skills necessary to lead the organization or department towards success in its field of work are considered for the position.
Therefore, when the Health Department of Sindh starts appointing underqualified health officers to management level positions, perhaps it is no surprise that the current state of public health in the province is on the brink of collapse.
Prior to 2022, the heads of hospitals and health centers across the province were appointed from Grade 20 general-cadre doctors. However, following a high court order, the provincial health department issued a notification stating that future appointments would be made from Grade 20 doctors holding a Master's in Public Health (MPH) degree.
According to the Sindh Health Management Service Rules 2022, the Director-General of Health Services, Additional Director-General of Health Services, Deputy Director-General of Health, District Health Officers (DHOs), Medical Superintendents and Additional Medical Superintendents must be appointed from the health management-cadre of Grade 20 officers. However, currently, the health department is unlawfully making appointments of underqualified Grade 19 officers on the basis of political influence and favoritism.
An officer from the Health Department of Sindh, speaking on the condition of anonymity, revealed that Grade 19 general-cadre doctors were serving as DHOs across 28 districts in Sindh.
According to sources of the Express Tribune, the Sindh Government Saudabad Hospital was previously headed by Dr Pir Ghulam Nabi Shah Jilani, a senior Grade 20 officer from the health management-cadre. Later, he was replaced by a junior Grade 19 officer, Dr Agha Amir from the general-cadre. This decision disrupted the hospital's administrative affairs, making it difficult for patients to access medical treatment.
An officer at the Sindh Government Saudabad Hospital revealed, on the condition of anonymity, that an illegal blood bank was operating in the public health facility, while complaints about the unavailability of medicines for patients were also rampant.
Similarly, at the Sindh Government New Karachi Hospital, a Grade 19 general-cadre doctor was serving as the Medical Superintendent, despite the position requiring a Grade 20 doctor. Similar was the situation at the Sindh Government Qatar Hospital and Sindh Government Ibrahim Hydari Hospital.
Likewise, Grade 19 general cadre doctors have been appointed to other important management level positions in Korangi, District South, District West and Jamshoro.
"The Health Management Cadre Rules 2022 state that Grade 20 health management-cadre officers, who have obtained a Master's in Public Health or Hospital Management after completing their MBBS, should be appointed as hospital heads. These officers are capable of developing effective strategies to control the spread of diseases in their districts. Throughout the year, people in the province are at risk of some viral disease," said the officer from the health department.
Dr Akram Sultan, a public health expert, opined that the appointment of inexperienced administrative officers to management positions in hospitals was one reason why the health problems facing countless people in rural Sindh remained unresolved. The DHOs and hospital heads serve as the custodians of health. However, health officers seem to be making no effort to eradicate diseases or plan for the future.
Therefore, even though billions of rupees are allocated annually for public health, hospitals in rural Sindh still lack facilities for treating complex diseases, forcing patients to travel to Karachi for treatment. Hence, it is crucial to appoint officers who can develop effective strategies to prevent diseases and establish a healthy society," informed Dr Sultan.