September 20, 2007	Thursday	Ramazan 07, 1428

PESHAWAR, Sept 19: Doctors continued their strike for the third day on Wednesday on the call of the Provincial Doctors’ Association to press their demands for a proper service structure, better residential facilities, increase in allowances and enhanced security measures as enjoyed by their colleagues in Punjab and Sindh.

The PDA announced extension of the strike to the entire NWFP.

The house officers, medical officers and trainee medical officers vowed to continue their strike until their demands were met.

The doctors remained off duty in the Lady Reading Hospital, Khyber Teaching Hospital, Hayatabad Medical Complex, Ayub Medical Complex and Mardan Medical Complex.

Patients at the teaching hospitals suffered as the doctors stayed away from the outpatient departments and provided only emergency cover.

“We are on strike because of our problems relating to stipend, service structure, accommodation and security,” said PDA president Dr Abdul Qadir Khan.“We get Rs6,000 per month stipend and perform 12-hour duty regularly,” he said, adding that in Punjab the doctors received Rs12,000 per month. He said the discrimination should end.

Speaking at a press conference, Dr Khan urged the government to reinstate contract doctors and accept their demands.

He said the strike would be extended to other parts of the province if the demands weren’t met by Thursday.

He said the doctors’ problems had not been solved in two months despite an assurance by NWFP Health Minister Inayatullah Khan.