The Government Medical Officers’ Association has accused the Health Ministry of dragging its feet on promised transfer reforms, warning that failure to act could trigger decisive measures that disrupt the country’s health system.
The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) has issued a sharp warning to the Ministry of Health, expressing deep dissatisfaction over delays in implementing agreements reached with the Health Minister to address irregularities in the transfer process of doctors. The association emphasized that ensuring transparent, efficient, and timely transfers is essential to maintaining quality and uninterrupted healthcare services nationwide.
In recent months, the preparation of transfer lists, execution of transfer orders, and the filling of vacancies in hospitals have faced significant setbacks within the Ministry of Health. These shortcomings prompted the GMOA to consider professional action to safeguard both doctors’ rights and patient care.
Following mounting concerns, the Health Minister convened discussions to resolve critical issues surrounding the annual transfer orders, the allocation of difficult service positions, and attachments for post-internship doctors. During the meeting, the GMOA highlighted that transfer lists were not being prepared through official transfer boards, delays were rampant, and transparency was lacking, causing major hardships for both medical professionals and patients.
The Health Minister assured the association of urgent corrective measures. These included extending the date of the post-internship list, reorganizing and implementing the lists with the participation of Ministry officials and the GMOA Transfer Board, reviewing the difficult service list in consultation with all stakeholders, and correcting irregularities in the annual transfer list for grade doctors.
However, the GMOA has expressed frustration that senior Ministry officials have yet to act on these verbal commitments. The association has formally informed the Minister of its dissatisfaction and reminded him that temporarily suspended professional actions are still under consideration by its Executive Council.
The GMOA warned that if the Ministry continues to undermine the health system by failing to implement transfer orders transparently through the Transfer Board, it will not hesitate to take firm decisions. The association also stated it would escalate the matter to the Public Service Commission and other relevant bodies against officials intentionally delaying the Minister’s directives.
According to the GMOA, decisive intervention by the Health Minister is crucial to protect the nation’s healthcare standards and ensure that every citizen continues to receive essential medical services without disruption.
