Health cadres oppose reform proposal for exclusion from cadre structure
Inter-cadre council to observe work-abstention tomorrow
The Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS) Health Cadre Association today raised an objection against the recommendation by the Public Administration Reform Commission to exclude health from the cadre structure.
Also today, the Inter-Cadre Council to Eliminate Discrimination, a platform of various cadres, called a one-hour work-abstention for tomorrow to press home their demands.
Muhammad Mofizur Rahman, coordinator of the council, said from 11am to 12pm on Tuesday, work-abstention will be observed at all offices. "Also, from 11am-12pm on Thursday, human chains will be formed in front of all offices."
Additionally, a rally will be organised on 4 January, Mofizur added.
At a press conference held at Jatiya Press Club today, the BCS Health Cadre Association said appointments to all positions at policy-making level of the Ministry of Health must be from the health cadres. Also, the recruitment for the deputy secretary pool should be conducted through an open examination process.
Reading out a written statement, Dr Umme Tania Nasrin, member secretary and spokesperson of the association, said they have learned that the Public Administration Reform Commission is heading to recommend separating general education and BCS health cadres from the cadre structure.
"BCS Health Cadre Association rejects such unilateral reform proposal."
She said the reform commission made the proposal without consulting any health cadre representative. "Any reform proposal made without consultation with the health cadres will not be accepted," she warned.
Earlier, on 17 December, Public Administration Reform Commission chief Abdul Mueed Chowdhury said education and health should not be in the cadre service and the commission would be going for their exclusion.
He said the commission would recommend a separate commission for health like the Bangladesh Judicial Service Commission.
Commenting on the issue, several physicians told The Business Standard today that all reforms to health should be conducted by the Health Sector Reform Commission, not by the Public Admin's one.