Absence of health minister affecting health dept working

LAHORE - In the absence of the Punjab Minister Health - never appointed after formation of the provincial government in the province - a number of health issues of urgent nature remain unattended.

A PML-N parliamentarian with heavy heart disclosed that the top leadership of his party is not in a hurry to appoint the Health Minister, nor feel any urgency to take up the issue with the PPP as if already shelved the issue for the time being despite pressure from influential quarters in the party. It was further learnt that some PML-N MPAs with their eyes set on the coveted post have been asked to keep quiet otherwise they will be taken to task.

The delay in the appointment of Health Minister coincided with doctors staging protests on the roads for their genuine demands; complaints regarding provision of health services to the people are on the rise; several posts at all the teaching hospitals, RHCs, and THQs, are lying vacant, while many important projects are still incomplete due to lack of supervision besides promotion matters of the doctors have been dragged on. All these issues need immediate attention from the top but due to the absence of health minister remain unattended.