Key Takeaways
- Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Health Department has recommended dismissing 26 medical officers.
- Some doctors have been absent from duty for as long as nine years.
- The department has sent repeated notices to the absent doctors but received no response.
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Health Department has recommended the termination of 26 medical officers who have been absent from duty for extended periods, according to a statement from the department.
The doctors, who have not reported to their posts since 2017, have been absent for periods ranging from two to nine years, with some remaining away for as long as nine years.
Despite repeated official notices sent to the doctors at their home addresses, none of them have responded to the department’s requests for return to duty.
The department has recommended action against the doctors under the Efficiency and Discipline Rules for illegal absence, stating that their long-term absence has been the basis for the recommendations.
The health department has emphasized the need for accountability and adherence to duty, highlighting the impact of prolonged absence on healthcare services.
The move is part of a broader effort to ensure the availability and accountability of medical personnel in the region, aiming to improve healthcare delivery.
The department has assured that it will follow due process before any final decisions are made, ensuring that all necessary steps are taken to uphold the rights of the affected medical officers.
The recommendation comes amid growing concerns over the availability of healthcare professionals in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, with the long-term absence of these doctors raising questions about the quality and accessibility of medical services.
