LAHORE: The Punjab health department has hired 450 doctors on a temporary (locum) basis to work in the province’s public teaching hospitals, including those in Lahore, to address staff shortages and maintain healthcare services during the Young Doctors Association (YDA) strike. The locum doctors include 25 senior registrars/consultants and a mix of male and female medical officers.
Under the scheme, senior registrars/consultants are paid Rs10,000 per shift, while medical officers and women medical officers receive Rs8,000 per shift. Despite the overwhelming response, the situation reveals a significant number of qualified doctors are unemployed in Punjab. The recruitment is expected to be for one month, with potential extensions, but the appointment does not guarantee permanent employment.