PMA accuses Punjab health department of delaying promotions

ISLAMABAD: (Web Desk) – The Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) Lahore has accused the Punjab Health Department of delaying thousands of doctors’ promotions, transfers, and postings, disrupting the province’s public health system.

PMA Lahore President Prof Shahid Malik stated that many cases have been pending for months, and in some instances, for one to two years. He blamed the provincial secretaries of Primary and Secondary Healthcare and Specialized Healthcare for a “clear lack of interest” in processing and approving these cases.

According to Malik, the prolonged delays have caused serious unrest among doctors, affecting their career progression, hospital administration, and patient care across Punjab. He accused the health secretaries of administrative negligence and failure to perform their duties responsibly.

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The PMA urged the Punjab Chief Secretary to take immediate departmental action against the officials, stating that retaining “inefficient and irresponsible officers” in key positions is unjust to both doctors and the wider public health sector.

The association warned that if the issues remain unresolved, doctors’ frustration could escalate, potentially worsening the province’s already strained health system.