Karachi, 9 November, 2023 (GNP): The healthcare landscape in Sindh faces growing challenges, marked by a public dispute between Caretaker Sindh Chief Minister, Justice (retd) Maqbool Baqar, and Provincial Health Minister Dr. Saad Niaz.
The rift centers on a contentious decision to cancel a multi-billion-rupee tender for robotic systems to improve medical facilities.
The tender was initially designed to procure four robotic systems aimed at enhancing healthcare services in leading medical institutions.
However, the health minister’s recent cancellation of this tender has ignited a heated controversy, including allegations of external influence in the decision-making process.
Justice Maqbool Baqar, the Caretaker Chief Minister, embarked on a series of visits to healthcare facilities in the province to evaluate their performance.
He stressed the importance of accountability and efficiency and initiated meetings to address the formidable challenges that the healthcare sector is currently grappling with.
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Regrettably, the health minister opted not to participate in these crucial discussions, exacerbating the divide.
In a statement, Dr. Saad Niaz criticized the chief minister, accusing him of unwarranted interference. He argued that the decision to halt the acquisition of robotic systems aligns with expert recommendations and aims to prioritize efficient healthcare management.
The Chief Minister’s House issued a counter-response defending their position. They highlighted the poor state of healthcare institutions, emphasizing the caretaker chief minister’s unwavering commitment to enhancing healthcare services for the residents of Sindh.
The statement condemned the health minister’s divisive behavior and use of inappropriate language, further intensifying the discord.
The caretaker chief minister reaffirmed his support for ministers and their departments, underlining the importance of efficient public service.
He pledged to provide necessary directives to improve departmental efficiency, irrespective of the individual’s official position.
