LAHORE: Dispelling recent rumors regarding a ban on private practice for doctors in the province, Health Minister Khawaja Imran Nazir has clarified that there is no such curb on medical professionals in the province.
Mr Nazir denied that the provincial health authorities had imposed any restrictions on private practice by doctors, adding that instead, the health department has directed hospital administrators to allow private practice within government hospitals during evening hours.
This initiative, he said, aims to improve patient access to quality care by enabling doctors to offer private consultations after regular working hours.
The minister said this policy is part of the health department’s broader efforts to enhance the provincial health system.
He highlighted the successful implementation of evening private practices at the Punjab Institute of Cardiology (PIC) in Lahore and the Rawalpindi Institute of Cardiology (RIC) as models for potential expansion to other government hospitals.
"This policy is intended to improve the health system and ensure patients have access to quality care beyond regular hospital hours," Nazir explained.
In related developments, Punjab has recently introduced mandatory written tests for the permanent recruitment of doctors through the Punjab Public Service Commission (PPSC).
The 100-mark PPSC exam will cover various subjects, including General Knowledge, Pakistan Studies, Current Affairs, Geography, Mathematics, English, Urdu, Everyday Science, and Computer Science.
Candidates must achieve a minimum score of 40 percent to advance to the interview stage. Previously, the recruitment process for medical officers was based solely on interviews.
