ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) has decided to take action against ‘corruption’ in the apex medical body, with the newly appointed registrar, Dr Shaista Faisal, saying that the Intelligence Bureau was also looking into the matter.

A notification dated July 19 signed by PMDC President Dr Rizwan Taj said that Dr Faisal had been appointed as the PMDC registrar with immediate effect and until further orders. In her first meeting with the council staff on Monday, the registrar said she would not tolerate corruption in the council and take action against ‘black sheep’.

“I have a number of complaints regarding corruption in the council. Here some staffers demand money to move files. Some people are here on retainer-ship and they get monthly amounts from the [private medical and dental] colleges. They are here just to do the work of those colleges. I have been seeing everything since 2004 and the Intelligence Bureau (IB) is also looking into the issue,” she said during the meeting. The registrar warned these officials to “stop indulging in that practice from today”.

“I know people come here from abroad and pay you money to expedite their work. Some people file cases against doctors and then they use you to extort money from those doctors. I have zero tolerance…as long as I am here,” she said, adding that she would need daily reports about the number of cases disposed of by the council.

The registrar told her staff, “I am giving you 15 days to clear all the backlog. Otherwise, I will transfer you to the office or maybe out of the city. I don’t want any complaint against you.”

Dr Faisal suggested the employees respect the section in-charges as she would only listen to the in-charges and get reports from them.

The registrar said there were 30 per cent women in the office and they should be treated with respect by their male counterparts, adding that she would take action against misbehaviour by the male staff members. She also said the staff would not sit in the office after 4pm.

Dr Faisal said that she was not ready to accept the responsibility but as the president of the council gave her the charge, she decided to accept the post.

“I have been working here since 2004 and a number of employees have been working before my arrival. Office starts at 8am and closes at 4pm. I don’t want to see anyone unnecessarily in the office after 4pm. There will be a lunch break from 1pm to 2pm and all the activities, including prayer, have to be done during lunchtime. I want to see each one of you in your offices. You don’t come here for socialisation so I want you to work,” she said.

Published in Dawn, July 23rd, 2024