Blunder leaves doctors stranded without interviews

LAHORE:The National Health Services, Regulation and Coordination (NHSR&C) has left candidates for the National Council for Homeopathy in profound disappointment by sending them back without conducting interviews, despite issuing official call letters for the process.

On May 20, 2025, numerous alternative medicine practitioners from across Pakistan traveled to Islamabad, only to be turned away without being interviewed for positions on the National Council for Homeopathy. The NHSR&C had sent call letters to nearly 70 homeopathic doctors nominated for provincial seats, yet interviews were conducted solely for federal nominees.

The affected doctors, who traveled from various parts of the country, incurred significant expenses and invested considerable time, only to be informed that their interviews would not take place. "I spent over Rs 50,000 on travel and accommodation, only to be dismissed at the last moment," said one frustrated candidate.

"It’s disheartening to witness such a lack of professionalism and organization from the health ministry," another candidate remarked. The incident has triggered widespread anger among homeopathic doctors, who are now demanding accountability and action against the responsible officials.

"This is not merely an error; it’s a blatant display of negligence and incompetence," stated another doctor. "We demand stringent measures against those accountable to ensure such incidents are not repeated."

The affected homeopathic doctors have called on Federal Special Secretary Mirza Nasiruddin Mashhood Ahmed to intervene and address the issue promptly. They are seeking a comprehensive investigation and disciplinary action against the officials who issued the erroneous call letters. As the medical community grapples with the financial and emotional repercussions, the NHSR&C’s mishap has caused significant damage to the reputation of homeopathic doctors and eroded trust between the medical fraternity and government institutions.

A senior NHSR&C official explained that some provincial candidates had also applied for federal positions, despite being ineligible, after failing to secure election in their respective provincial homeopathic councils. "The Ministry issued letters to all candidates without distinction," he clarified.