Karachi: At least 150 contract employees have been sacked from Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center right after the devolution of health ministry and transfer of Federal Hospitals to the provinces.
According to sources, by implementing on the 18th Amendment, all federal hospitals have been transferred to the provinces. As soon the hospitals have been handed over to the provinces from June 30, 2011 more than 150 employees from JPMC, who were hired on contract bases and were serving in various departments including Neuro Surgery Department.
Hospital sources said that the contract employees (1-18 grade) have been fired due to inadequate funds from the last few months while federal health ministry also did not cooperate in this regard. However, still there is possibility of extension in their contract, said hospital sources.
In-charge Neuro Surgery Department, Prof. Dr. Sitar Hashim said that it is unjust and against the law to terminate the contract employees immediately. There are three wards in this department, where at a time more than 140 patients are being remained under treatment and facilities were being given to them properly. However, after the dismissal of 150 employees patients have been facing severe difficulties due to lack of staff.
He further said that approximately Rs. 210 million has been spent for building and other equipments.
Meanwhile, sources said that due to the negligence of the administration the work on this project could not start yet.
