Ghost doctors scandal in Larkana: 50 medical officers absent while drawing salaries

Ghost doctors scandal in Larkana: 50 medical officers absent while drawing salaries

LARKANA: A shocking revelation has surfaced in Larkana’s major government hospitals, where around 50 medical officers have been found absent from duty for several months while continuing to draw salaries. This alarming finding comes from a preliminary report by the Medical Superintendent’s Office covering Chandka Civil Hospital, Shaikh Zayed Women’s Hospital, Shaikh Zayed Children’s Hospital and the Teaching Hospital. The report estimates that nearly 20 % of doctors in the selected hospitals qualify as “ghost employees”.

The absenteeism reportedly spans months, with salary payments continuing unabated. Sources claim that many of these absent doctors have been receiving monthly salaries worth millions of rupees, while performing no official duties. Worse, some are employed in multiple departments at once, drawing dual salaries, while others have even moved abroad but continue to be paid. Administrative collusion is alleged, with falsified attendance records created in coordination with staff.

Hospital administration has forwarded the names of the absent doctors to the Secretary of Health for action. A large proportion of those identified are reportedly female medical officers at the Shaikh Zayed Women’s Hospital. Despite multiple directives, biometric attendance systems remain uninstalled in Larkana’s government hospitals — a gap that raises serious accountability concerns. Sources estimate that nearly Rs 10 million per month is being disbursed to these ghost doctors, prompting major questions over transparency, governance and the integrity of the provincial health system.

The ghost-doctor scandal in Larkana underscores systemic weaknesses in hospital administration, human-resource management and organisational oversight. For patients, it means stalled access to timely medical care; for the public purse, it signifies misuse of taxpayer funds. Without decisive reform, deficiencies of this magnitude threaten the integrity of the health-system and place vulnerable patients at risk.

Stay informed and protect your health!

CLICK HERE TO JOIN Medical News Pakistan on WhatsApp for expert tips, health updates, and the latest medical research straight to your phone.