GCDA demands implementation on new 4-tier promotion formula

Lahore:  A comprehensive convention of general cadre doctors, held at a local hotel, urged Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, Adviser to CM on Health Khawaja Salman Rafiq, Parliamentary Secretary for Health Khawaja Imran Nazir and Health Secretary Dr Ijaz Munir to implement the new four-tier formula for the promotion of general cadre doctors and issue a notification on the splashing accordingly.

Hundreds of general cadre doctors from the 36 districts of the province , including medical superintendents, additional medical superintendents, EDOs, district officers (health), PMOs, APMOs, APMWOs, SMOs, SWMOs and senior dental surgeons, and principal dental surgeons attended the convention.

Khawaja Imran Nazir was the chief guest and Director General Health Services Punjab Dr Zahid Pervaiz was the guest of honour while GCDA President Dr Masood Akhtar Sheikh chaired the function.

Addressing the convention, Dr Masood pointed out that the new four-tier formula for the promotion of general cadre doctors had already been signed by the chief minister. The implementation of the formula will result in the promotion of over 300 doctors in Grade-20. In addition, over 1,500 doctors will be promoted from Grade- 18 to Grade-19 and over 1,000 others from Grade-17 to Grade-18. He further added that 4 seats of general cadre doctors in Grade-21 are lying vacant which should also be filled.

He said that all such promotions are based upon the implementation of the new formula and splashing. He lamented that in spite of the agreement reached over one and a half years ago, the Punjab Health Department has not released the splashing of these seats as per the revised formula though the draft for splashing has been lying with the department for over one year. No further progress has been witnessed despite repeated reminders and several meetings with the health high-ups as a result of which promotions of all the general cadre doctors to next grades have been stopped.

Dr Masood Sheikh said the department always ignored the promotion cases of general cadre doctors. He further reminded that the committee formed by the CM had already agreed that the process would be started from the promotion of senior doctors, which regrettably was not implemented. Had the committee’s decision been implemented in its true spirit, the issue of promotions of general cadre doctors would have been resolved.

Dr Masood pointed out that the current seniority list contains the names of even those doctors who have already been promoted, removed from service, have retired, died and have not rejoined after long deputation or long leave. He further disclosed that around 625 general cadre doctors have switched over to teaching and specialist cadres, but their names are still being reflected in the seniority list of general cadre. He demanded removal of all such names from the seniority list of general cadre doctors, which will trigger promotions of thousands of doctors.  He was of the firm view that if the new four-tier formula is implemented, splashing is released and the senior list updated, more than 3,500 doctors will be promoted to next grades.

GCDA Central Vice President Dr Asad Abbas Shah regretted that general cadre doctors do not believe in protests and strikes, but it has been observed that the Punjab Health Department only comes into action following protests and demonstrations against the department. This attitude of the department is sending a clear message to the senior doctors to come on the roads for the acceptance of their demands. He appealed to the Health high-ups not to force the senior doctors to observe strikes and hold protest rallies for their genuine rights.

In his message for the participants of the convention, Parliamentary Secretary Khawaja Imran Nazir said the problems of general cadre doctors would be solved on top priority. He promised to lead a delegation of GCDA for a meeting with the health high-up in connection with their promotions and other issues. He said the government would fulfil its commitments made to general cadre doctors regarding their demands. He further said the main focus of Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif is health sector and he considers general cadre doctors an asset.

Guest of Honour Dr Zahid Pervaiz, in his speech, remarked that this was the largest gathering of general cadre doctors he had seen in his entire carrier and its credit goes to GCDA President Dr Masood Sheikh.

Dr Zahid Pervaiz urged the doctors to focus on the promotion issue. He lauded general cadre doctors for their spirit to serve and said these doctors never resorted to strikes. He assured them of his full cooperation in solution to their problems.

Dr Rana Imtiaz, GCDA president, Sahiwal division, said promotions are the single point agenda of doctors from all over the province and they are not prepared to show any flexibility over this issue.

Dr Abid Hussain, president, Faisalabad division, said that there has been a lot of resentment among the doctors of rural areas as they have been working in the same garde for last 18 to 26 years.

Dr Anjum Jamal from district Okara, said promotions of the doctors is the easiest answer to this long outstanding issue.