The government is planning to simplify the procedure of paying salaries to the Lady Health Workers (LHW), Federal Minister for Health Mir Ejaz Hussain Jhakrani said. While talking to media after chairing the Advocacy seminar titled, Contributing Together to Control held to mark World TB Day, organised by the Ministry of Health and National TB Control Programme (NTBP) on Wednesday.
Ejaz Jhakrani said that the process of giving salaries to the LHW is a bit complicated. Therefore the government is planning to adopt an easy way through which, they could get their salaries in time directly, he said. He also announced that the Ministry of Health is increasing the number of LHWs.
Currently there are about 90,000 LHW working across the country however 10,000 are under training whereas, 20,000 will be recruited soon, the Health Minister added. Sources said the LHWs did not get their salaries in time due to shortage of funds. The monthly salary of one LHW is Rs 2950, which the government failed to pay on monthly basis reasoning lack of funds.
It is a matter of concern that despite current financial crunch, the Ministry of Health is looking forward to recruit more LHWs. Answering to a question regarding removal of Dr Sharif, head of Hepatitis program, without completion of investigation by the Ministry, he replied that he has not been removed but is on long leave.
We got some information that Dr Sharif was involved in some sort of corruption therefore, we sent him on leave till the decision on the corruption case, he maintained. Replying to a query about appointing a new executive director of Poly Clinic Hospital, he said that it is the Prime Ministers job not his. He also informed media that within 2-3 days the polio campaign would be kicked-off in Swat and adjourning areas.
Earlier, addressing the participants of the advocacy seminar the Federal Health Minister said, I am sure that by the year 2015 Pakistan will achieve its MDG set for TB control. Khusnood Ali Lashari, Secretary Health, Dr Khalif Bile, Country Representative World Health Organisation (WHO), senior officials of TBCP, Dr Amjad Salam Amjad, famous literary personalities, students and representatives of civil society were also present on the occasion.