By Our Correspondent
LAHORE: The General Cadre Doctors Association (GCDA) has voiced strong opposition to reports suggesting the possible abolition or restructuring of the DG Health Services Punjab, warning that such a move could disrupt healthcare administration across the province and adversely affect the future of general cadre doctors.
The concerns were raised during an emergency meeting of the GCDA executive committee, where office-bearers urged the Punjab government to clarify the situation and engage all relevant stakeholders before taking any final decision.
GCDA President Dr. Masood Sheikh said rumors regarding the proposed abolition of the Directorate General Health Services Punjab had created uncertainty among healthcare professionals. He stressed that no decision should be taken without consulting general cadre doctors and other stakeholders.
“Even considering the closure of the Directorate General Health Services would be unjust to general cadre doctors,” he said, adding that such a move could create administrative confusion throughout Punjab’s healthcare system.
Dr. Sheikh noted that the institution has evolved over approximately 172 years and has played a central role in the administration of public health services across the province. Preserving its institutional identity, he said, is in the best interest of both healthcare professionals and patients.
GCDA Board Chairman Dr. Fayyaz Ahmed Ranjha said the health department had already undergone major restructuring during 2015-16 when it was divided into separate departments. Introducing further structural changes, he argued, could negatively impact the delivery of health services.
He said the Directorate General Health Services currently oversees administrative matters for health facilities across Punjab and manages several provincial health programmes that address public health challenges.
Senior doctors Dr. Javed Mumtaz, Dr. Munir Ghauri and Dr. Waqar also opposed any reported proposal to dismantle or significantly alter the institution.
Dr. Javed Mumtaz said replacing long-established administrative structures without comprehensive planning could create additional challenges rather than improving governance. He added that no other province in Pakistan had undertaken a similar restructuring of its health administration.
The association highlighted the historical development of the institution, stating that it originated in 1854 as the Directorate General of Jails and Dispensaries, became the Inspector General of Dispensaries in 1880, was renamed the Directorate of Health Services Punjab in 1949 after Pakistan’s independence, and was upgraded to the Directorate General Health Services Punjab in 1989.
The GCDA appealed to Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir to ensure that any reforms in the health sector strengthen rather than weaken the public healthcare system and address the concerns of general cadre doctors.
No official announcement has yet been made by the Punjab government regarding any proposal to abolish or restructure the Directorate General Health Services Punjab.
