PESHAWAR: Health department has revoked its notification banning the Boards of Governors (BoGs) of medical teaching institutions (MTIs) from taking major policy decisions following the court’s verdict regarding removal of boards appointed by the caretaker government.

The department had issued directives on July 1, restricting BoGs of MTIs from making appointments, issuing new tenders, procuring items and promoting their staffers because the boards had been appointed by caretaker government in December last year and the new government wanted to deprive them of powers.

However, some boards continued to ignore the directives by making major decisions due to which the department issued another notification in August. The new notification said that it had come into the notice of health department that despite its notification some BoGs continued to violate the directives and indulge in taking policy decisions, which should be stopped immediately.

The caretaker government had removed BoGs of MTIs and replaced them with the new ones in December last year. Following formation of the PTI government in the province, those BoGs were removed in June and old boards were replaced. However, the removed members of the boards moved court against their removal and obtained a stay order to stay put.

Officials say the decision will improve situation with regard to promotions and procurements

The PTI government challenged the decision and Peshawar High Court ordered removal of the boards appointed by the caretaker government a fortnight ago, after which the old boards assumed charge.

On Wednesday, health department withdrew its directive restraining the boards from taking major decisions and allowed them to start work. The department has already ordered the boards of interim government to quit in the light of court’s verdict.

Officials in MTIs told Dawn that the last eight months had been terrible for them as they were unable to make promotions of staff that were long overdue in addition to their inability to purchase drugs and issue tenders but the reinstatement of the boards would enable them to start making vital decisions.

The PTI government implemented Medical Teaching Institutions Reforms Act after its passage from the provincial assembly in 2015. The law is meant to grant financial and administrative autonomy to teaching hospitals and their affiliated medical and dental colleges and free them from political and bureaucratic control. The members of BoGs are selected by Search and Nomination Council headed by health minister and approved by chief minister.

The members of boards work on voluntary basis according to the law but the slots have become attractive due to their powers. Therefore, the caretaker government had removed the boards and stuffed them with new people. However, MTIs totally relied on the government for funding, therefore, despite their appointment by caretakers, the boards had no powers and did not take any decision, which adversely affected the operations of MTIs.

“With replacement of the PTI’s BoGs by court, the department has restored their powers, which will enable MTIs to start working smoothly,” officials said. The policy board of MTIs has already asked the BoGs to take charge and resume work.

Officials at MTIs said that the BoGs appointed by the caretaker government had lost its authority because they did not have the backing of government. After their removal and reinstatement of old boards, the department withdrew all restrictions that would improve the situation regarding procurement of medicines in addition to taking decisions about promotions and issuance of tenders etc.

Published in Dawn, October 31st, 2024