The Balochistan Health Department on Saturday dismissed 72 doctors from government service for prolonged unauthorised absence, bringing the total number of dismissed Health Department employees to 200.
The dismissals were carried out under an artificial intelligence (AI)-based attendance system introduced by the provincial government to ensure medical staff report for duty regularly.
An official notification issued by the Balochistan health secretary said the action was taken under Section 4(B)(viii) of the Balochistan Employees Efficiency and Disciplinary Act (BEEDA), 2011. The dismissed personnel include medical officers (BPS-17) and senior medical officers (BPS-18), and the orders took effect immediately.
Health Department officials said Rs410 million has so far been deducted from the salaries of the employees over absenteeism. The notification added that notices seeking explanations for violations of attendance and disciplinary rules have been issued to 11,000 employees, while departmental action is under way against another 800.
Balochistan Health Minister Bakht Muhammad Kakar said the doctors had been repeatedly directed by notice to report for duty but failed to respond. He said their continued absence and failure to reply compelled the government to act.
“We have zero tolerance for absenteeism and negligence among medical staff and doctors in the performance of their official duties,” he said. He added that the department was working to provide people with the best possible healthcare facilities at their doorsteps.
Kakar said reforms to improve the performance of the department were being carried out on the instructions of Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti, and that attendance at government hospitals and health centres was being monitored through the AI-based system.
