Divergent views have been expressed by people hailing from different walks of life over the rupees 5.2 billion package announced by Punjab Chief Minister, Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif for doctors, nurses and para-medical staff in a bid to provide economic protection to them.
Those supporting this move of Punjab government are claiming that this action will yield revolutionary changes and far-reaching impacts in health sector, while opponents of the government as well as general public have not pinned high hopes of improvement in the health sector. Critics are of the firm view that government needs to change the mindset of those engaged in the sector for efficient service delivery to the patients. Is there any improvement in police department after the raise in the salaries of police officials, they questioned?
"Medical profession is a sacred profession and people have a lot of expectations from health professionals but the way young doctors behaved for the acceptance of their demands raised big questions," they said adding, "Government needs to focus on ensuring efficient service delivery in the health sector that is still a dream to be materialised."
A local citizen Sohail Hafeez said Punjab Chief Minister had allocated huge amount of national exchequer on provision of free medical facilities to people. However, he said, people have a lot of concerns about the facilities available in public sector hospitals. The culture of 'safarish' and nepotism needs to be eliminated to improve service delivery, he added. Advisor to Chief Minister, Begum Zakia Shahnawaz said that government has allocated a huge amount for health sector and increase of salaries of doctors ranging from Rs 6,000 to Rs 20, 000 is laudable and hoped that doctors will perform their duties devotedly.
According to her, a special cell has been set up in the health department for taking action on the pending promotion cases of doctors. A special committee has also been constituted comprising all stakeholders for revising service structure of doctors and paramedics of health department, which will formulate its recommendation at the earliest.
Parliamentary Secretary Health Punjab, Dr Saeed Elahi said that Punjab Chief Minister, Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has honoured his promise by increasing salaries and other incentives of doctors. Despite the present economic condition and shortage of resources, the government, by accepting the demand of increase in the salaries of doctors, has resolved this issue with sagacity and now it is the responsibility of doctors to perform their duties efficiently, he said.
According to him, Punjab government has taken precedence over other provinces as after the approval of pay package salaries of doctors in Punjab have substantially increased as compared to doctors of other provinces. It may be noted that the Chief Minister Punjab had accorded approval to pay package of Rs 5.2 billion by accepting the recommendations of cabinet committee after consultation with the representatives of young doctors and paramedic associations. Under this package, there will be Rs 6,000 increase in the stipend of house officer from Rs 18,000 to Rs 24,000. An increase of Rs 22,500/- has been approved in the stipend of postgraduate students and their stipend will be increased from Rs 22,000/- to Rs 42,000/-.