September 26, 2008	Friday	Ramazan 25, 1429

MIRPURKHAS, Sept 25: The employees of the People’s Primary Healthcare Initiative (PPHI), activists of different political parties and social organisations held demonstrations on Thursday in protest against cancellation of the healthcare programme contract by the district nazim and the DCO.

Dozens of protesters led by Wajid Leghari, Kanji Ranomal Bheel of HRCP core group, Asghar Narejo of Council for Underprivileged Segments and Eminence, JSQM’s Najaf Leghari, Zahoor Leghari, JSM’s Dr Anand Kumar, STP’s Riaz Jalbani and JSM’s Arjun Kumar held a demonstration and observed a sit-in outside the district nazim’s office leading to suspension of vehicular traffic for some time.

The protesters raised slogans against the district nazim and the DCO.

They alleged that cancellation of contract with PPHI was a conspiracy as it was working very well for providing basic health facilities to the poor in rural areas.

They alleged that officials of the district government, Jan Ali Junejo and Jafar Junejo, were the main reason behind cancellation of the contract.

The decision had deprived 82 employees of jobs including seven lady doctors, 15 male doctors, one ultrasound expert and 60 paramedical staff.

They condemned the district nazim’s order to cancel the contract and urged him to reverse the decision in the interest of poor people.

They alleged that Ghulam Ali Soomro, district support manager of PPHI was manhandled by the district naib nazim.

Later, they reached the local press club and staged a demonstration.