PMA demands action over prolonged delays in doctors’ promotions, transfers

The Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) Lahore has accused the Punjab health department of delaying thousands of doctors’ promotion, transfer, and posting cases and disrupting the province’s public health system, 24NewsHD TV reported on Sunday. 

PMA Lahore President Prof Shahid Malik said a large number of doctors' cases had been pending for months and in some instances for one to two years due to what he described as a clear lack of interest by the provincial secretaries of Primary and Secondary Healthcare and Specialized Healthcare in processing and approving them.

He said the prolonged delays had created “serious unrest” among doctors and were not only affecting their professional growth and career progression, but were also undermining hospital administration and patient care across the province.

He accused the two health secretaries of administrative failure and negligence in the discharge of their official responsibilities.

The PMA called on the Punjab Chief Secretary to initiate immediate departmental action against them, arguing that the continued retention of “inefficient and irresponsible officers” in such key positions was unjust not only to doctors but also to the broader public health sector.

The PMA warned that if the issues were not addressed immediately, frustration among doctors would intensify and could have serious consequences for Punjab’s already strained health system.