LAHORE – In a major development, the Punjab Assembly on Tuesday approved the Locum Hiring Act 2025 to address staffing shortages in public healthcare facilities.
The newly passed act allows the government to recruit qualified medical professionals temporarily to ensure continuity of healthcare services, particularly in underserved areas.
Under the act, a Locum Policy Committee would be established to oversee recruitment and policy implementation. The Provincial Minister for Specialized Healthcare would serve as the committee’s chairperson while the Secretary of Specialized Healthcare, three medical field experts, and a representative from the Human Resource Department would be part of the committee.
The committee would determine the Terms of Reference (TORs) for temporary appointments, including eligibility criteria, tenure, and remuneration structure.
The legislation also requires that advertisements for locum positions be published in at least two newspapers prior to recruitment. However, the act clearly states that individuals hired on a temporary basis will not be entitled to claim permanent employment at any stage.
Officials said the move is aimed at overcoming the shortage of healthcare professionals in government hospitals and ensuring that essential medical services remain uninterrupted across Punjab.
