Punjab’s Health Minister Khawaja Imran Nazir has responded to the rumors regarding a ban on the practice of private doctors across the province.
According to the minister, the provincial health authorities haven’t made any such decision. He added that the health department ordered hospital heads to permit private practice in government hospitals during the evening to improve patient care.
This will ensure that patients receive quality care during the evening hours when doctors are available for private consultations.
It is pertinent to mention that the health department has allowed private practice in government hospitals to enhance the healthcare system. The practice is already running smoothly during evening hours at the Punjab Institute of Cardiology (PIC) in Lahore and the Rawalpindi Institute of Cardiology (RIC).
Last month, Punjab made a written test mandatory for the permanent recruitment of doctors through the Punjab Public Service Commission (PPSC). The written exam will be worth 100 marks, covering topics such as General Knowledge, Pakistan Studies, Current Affairs, and Geography.
Furthermore, there will be questions on Mathematics, English, Urdu, Everyday Science, and Computer Science. To qualify for the interview stage, doctors must score at least 40 percent on the exam. Previously, the permanent recruitment of medical officers was based solely on interviews.