At present 2,240 medical officers of BS-17 were post-graduated in different specialties

Karachi, Sindh

Sindh Cabinet decided in its meeting on Monday to promote Medical Officers of BS-17 to the posts of Specialists, as 1028 posts of Specialist Cadre Doctors are lying vacant.

Minister Health Dr. Azra Pechuho told the cabinet that there was a sanctioned strength of 1,975 Specialist Cadre Doctors (BS-18), against which only 947 were working and 1,028 were vacant. She added that her department had sent a requisition of 1,096 posts of specialist cadre doctors BS-18, to Sindh Public Service Commission but the SPSC recommended only 68 and still 1,028 posts were vacant.

The cabinet was told that at present 2,240 medical officers of BS-17 were post-graduated in different specialties. The services of those medical officers of BS-17 could be utilized as specialists by posting them on the post of specialist (BS-18) by making them a post of specialist as floating posts BS-17/18.

Minister Health said that the medical officers, BS-17, having postgraduate degrees in the relevant field could be posted against the posts of special cadre B-18, to curtain the shortage of doctors for the smooth running of hospitals in the province.

The cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, approved the proposal and directed the health department to promote the postgraduate doctors who have completed their length of service and make necessary changes in the recruitment rules so that they could be posted against the specialist cadre in grades BS-18.

The cabinet also approved the creation of 455 posts of new specialties posts in teaching hospitals, including physical specialties, surgery specialties, allied specialties, and other human resources. These positions are for grades BS-17, 18, and 19.

Upgrading of JPMC posts

The cabinet after discussion approved the proposal of the Health department and upgraded the posts of Accountant from grade BS-9 to BS-14, cashier, accountant, cashier, telephone operator, receptionist, and board operator from Grade BS-7 to BS-14. The post of stenographer of BS-16 was upgraded to BS-17 and the post of Steno Typist from grade BS-14 to BS-16.

The cabinet, acknowledging the services of Dr. Sikandar Mendhro named Civil Hospital Badin after late Dr. Sikadar Mandhro.

Procurement of ambulances

Minister Health Dr. Azra Pechuho briefing the cabinet said that there was a need for the procurement of 60 ambulances, including 30 mobile medical vans and five mobile laboratories for which Rs.2 billion were required.

The cabinet was told that the purpose of procuring ambulances, medical vans, and laboratories was to link Gaucher’s Diseases (GDs) with Primary / Secondary care; rapid medical assessment and treatment; transport patients, supporting mass casualty incidents.

It was pointed out that Mobile medical units would be utilized in settings where medical facilities were limited or inaccessible. The mobile Laboratory would be used in disease outbreak investigation, rapid diagnostic testing, surveillance and monitoring, environmental testing, and support for field hospitals and medical teams.

The ambulances would be included in the fleet of Rescue 1122. The cabinet approved the request and funds for the purpose.

Breastfeeding law

The cabinet discussed and approved the Sindh Protection and Promotion of Breast Feeding and Young Child Nutrition Act, 2023.

Minister Health Dr. Azra said that it was expedient to ensure safe and adequate nutrition for infants and young children up to the age of 36 months by promoting protecting and supporting breastfeeding, promoting healthy diets to prevent obesity and non-communicable diseases and regulating the marketing and promotion of designated products including breast milk substitutes, and of feeding bottles, valves for feeding bottles, nipple shields, teats, and pacifiers.

Under the act, the government would establish a 22-member board under the chairperson Standing Committee on Health, Sindh Assembly. The functions of the board include framing regulations, advising standards of designated products, and proposing guidelines to the government to establish an effective Monitoring System as per WHO/UNICEF protocol.

The cabinet was told if any business or any person on behalf of the business contravenes any provision of this Act would be punished as per law. There would be a provision of appeal against the punishment in the law.

Hindu Marriage Act

Minister of Minorities Affairs Gianchand Israni presented the draft Act in the cabinet. He added that the act was meant to provide a formal process for the registration of marriage for Hindus.

The cabinet pointed out that the court has given guidelines for the marriage act, therefore the cabinet despite approving the act in principle, constituted a committee to make the law in accordance with the court guidelines. The committee comprised Minister Excise & Taxation Mukesh Chawala, Minister Excise Gianchand, Advisor Law Murtaza Wahab, and Advocate General Hassan Akbar.

Karachi short of 8961 buses

Minister Transport Sharjeel Memon through a video link briefing the cabinet said that his department will induct 500 more buses to induct in Peoples Bus Service to facilitate the poor segment of the society at large.

Memon said that 13000 to 15000 buses were required to meet the transport requirement of the city. He added that 1,039 buses of Peoples Bus Service were on the road and still there was a shortfall of 8,961 buses.

Tax service: Transport Minister Sharjeel Memon presented another proposal of 200 Electric Taxis for Karachi; of them, 50 taxis would be operated as pink Taxis.

The cabinet told the transport department to prepare the feasibility of the buses and taxis and present the same to the P&D department for further action.

Workers Welfare Fund Act

Minister Labor Saeed Ghani presented an amendment in Section 9 of the Sindh Workers Welfare Fund Act, 2014 under which the position of Secretary/Chief Executive Officer of the Worker Welfare Board has been declared as a floating post of BS-19 or BS-20.  (PR)

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Karachi, Sindh

A high-level meeting, presided over by the Minister of Information, Transport and Mass Transit Sharjeel Inam Memon, on Thursday decided that 500 new buses worth 25 billion rupees will be purchased and added to People’s Bus Service to provide more travel facilities to the people during the next financial year.

Moreover, 200 eco-friendly electric taxis will also be introduced in Karachi.

Secretary Transport Saleem Rajput, CEO Trans Karachi Tufail Palijo, Project Director Yellow Line Ameer Owaisi, General Manager Red Line Pir Sajjad, and Project Director PSB Sohaib were present in the meeting.

Transport Minister instructed the initiation of a new route for the People’s Bus Service, connecting Hattri to Khesana Mori in Hyderabad. He specifically emphasized that the trial of this new route should commence within three days.

Sharjeel Memon said that the introduction of the new route would provide affordable and comfortable travel facilities for residents in both urban and rural areas.

While issuing instructions to bring all the buses of the People’s Bus Service onto the roads of Karachi, he emphasized the need to activate the buses that were in backup as well.

He further announced that an additional 20 buses will be provided to the Sindh government by June 15, and these buses will also be incorporated into the People’s Bus Service to further enhance travel facilities for the public. He emphasized that the buses should actively operate in each and every street of the city to facilitate the public.

Minister issued planning and implementation instructions to establish connectivity between the Orange Line, Green Line, and Red Lion buses.

Announcing that the government plans to purchase 500 buses in the upcoming financial year, he instructed the Ministry of Transport to prepare a proposal for this purpose.

He revealed plans to operate 200 electric taxis in Karachi, with 50 pink taxis specifically reserved for women passengers. These initiatives aim to enhance public transportation and provide dedicated services for women commuters.

Sharjeel Inam Memon stated that female drivers will be recruited specifically for the pink taxis designated for women passengers. He emphasized that the introduction of electric taxis will enable affordable travel facilities for the general public. These measures aim to prioritize women’s safety and provide cost-effective transportation options for the community.

Sharjeel Inam Memon highlighted that the electric taxi service initiated under the SMTA (Sindh Mass Transit Authority) will create employment opportunities for unemployed youth, operating environmentally friendly taxis will result in substantial savings in oil expenditures, benefiting environment, the public and the government. This initiative serves as a win-win situation, promoting sustainable transportation and economic advantages for all stakeholders involved.

He also mentioned that charging stations and parking depots for electric taxis will be constructed at various locations throughout the city.

Secretary Transport Saleem Rajput put forward a proposal to operate the People’s Bus service twice, specifically catering to the convenience of teachers and students at GC University Hyderabad. In response, Transport Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon instructed the relevant authorities to plan and organize the necessary arrangements to implement this proposal effectively. (PR)

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