Why Is an ‘Operation’ Being Carried Out Against Govt Nurses in Punjab?
News Desk
Lahore: The Punjab Health Department has suspended 16 more nurses for prolonged absenteeism, bringing the total number of suspensions in recent days to 35.
The move is part of a broader crackdown on healthcare workers who take extended leave, often by bribing staff, to work abroad.
Health department officials have warned that action will continue against nurses violating leave policies.
The government has been discouraging the increasing trend of nurses securing government jobs and then leaving for employment opportunities in Gulf countries.
Sania Atzel, a former nurse at Lahore’s Services Hospital, recently resigned and relocated to Kuwait.
Speaking to Urdu News, she explained, “After securing a permanent government job, I realized that salaries for nurses abroad are significantly higher than in Pakistan. Many senior nurses working in Gulf countries stay in touch with juniors, providing them with opportunities and guidance.”
Atzel initially applied for an ex-Pakistan leave, which was approved. However, upon settling in Kuwait, she decided to resign from her government position and return to the Gulf nation with official clearance.
“Hundreds of Pakistani nurses are already working here, but recently, a friend of mine was stopped at the airport because she lacked clearance,” she added.
The Punjab government has now launched a formal investigation into the increasing trend of nurses taking extended leave to work abroad. Authorities have tightened measures, including suspensions and mandatory resignations for those violating leave policies.
The recently suspended nurses were employed at major healthcare facilities, including Services Hospital, Children’s Hospital, Punjab Institute of Mental Health, Jinnah Hospital, Ganga Ram Hospital, and Mayo Hospital.
Punjab Minister for Specialized Healthcare Khawaja Salman Rafique emphasized the need for reforms in the health sector. “We are reviewing areas where government resources are being misused without benefiting the public. Employees who fail to serve the people have no place in the system, and this includes nurses involved in such irregularities,” he said.
He further revealed that some nurses obtain long leave through illicit payments, and stricter actions will follow. “Expect more such cases to surface in the coming days.”
The Punjab government has also introduced stricter controls at airports. Nurses traveling abroad must now present a No Objection Certificate (NOC), with electronic records verified at departure points.
Those without clearance risk being offloaded from flights.
The latest measures reflect the government’s resolve to curb irregularities in the healthcare sector and ensure that public resources are used effectively for patient care.
The news report was originally published in Urdu News with the byline of Roy Shahnawaz and has been translated by ThePenPK.com.
