ISLAMABAD: Following a recent purge of allegedly corrupt elements within the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), health authorities on Thursday executed a significant reshuffle, with numerous transfers and terminations across the Ministry of Health, its various departments, and the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP).
“Under directives from the Prime Minister’s office, extensive reshuffles, transfers, and terminations were carried out within the Ministry, its departments, and DRAP today (Thursday). Many of these changes were prompted by concerns regarding financial issues,” an official in the National Health Services, Regulations, and Coordination (NHS,R&C) told The News.
According to the official, an investigation by intelligence agencies identified a list of officials. This list was subsequently forwarded to the Ministry of Health with instructions to remove these individuals from sensitive positions. The official, who requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter, revealed that the list was extensive, encompassing officials in various healthcare institutions and other departments. A second phase of the purge is expected.
Several notifications were issued on Thursday by the Ministry of Health, detailing the terminations, transfers, and new postings of officials, along with additional responsibilities assigned to some.
One of the most surprising decisions was the termination of Dr. Razia Kaneez Fatima, National Coordinator of the Common Management Unit (CMU) for AIDS, TB, and Malaria. Appointed during the caretaker set-up by the former health secretary Iftikhar Shallwani, Dr. Razia’s appointment was opposed by the caretaker health minister, Dr. Nadeem Jan. The CMU, a unit attached to the Ministry of Health, manages millions of dollars in foreign funding from the Global Fund. Its affairs had been under scrutiny by the agencies since Dr Razia’s appointment.
In addition, the ministry removed acting Director General Health and Project Director of the Federal Directorate of Immunization (FDI), Dr. Ahmed Qazi, repatriating him to the Sindh Health Department. Dr. Shabana Saleem, a former DG Health, was appointed in his place and also given the additional charge of Director General Population for three months or until a regular appointment is made.
Another significant change included the withdrawal of the posting order for Mir Muhammad Haassan Bullo, who was serving as the Medical Director of the Federal Government Hospital (FGH), with instructions for him to immediately relinquish his charge.
Ghazala Bashir Memon, who was serving as Director of Planning and Development at the Ministry of Health, was assigned the role of Director General Development with immediate effect.
Additionally, four section officers, including Abdul Kabir Khalil, Muhammad Ishaq, Imran Ali, and Rizwan Nabi Baloch, along with Deputy Director Irfanullah Khan, were also removed from sensitive posts.
A significant reshuffle also took place within the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) on directives from the Prime Minister’s office, where 25 senior officials, including directors, additional directors, deputy directors, and assistant directors, were re-assigned to less sensitive positions. “Intelligence agencies had forwarded a list of around 39 DRAP officials. This list was presented to the PM office, leading to the re-assignment of 25 officers from their current posts to less sensitive roles,” the health ministry official claimed.
However, the official noted that some DRAP officials with good reputations were also caught up in the ongoing anti-corruption drive.
