DOCTORS have called off their strike at the JPMC. The Sindh government announced the removal of the director, Prof Tasneem Ahsan, and the deputy director, Dr Seemin Jamali.

This is a wrong approach. The government has set a bad example. Both these individuals were running the hospital administration and the sensitive emergency department very well.

The previous administration’s case is already pending in the Sindh High Court. In the petition they have challenged the authority of the provincial health department to control this hospital. After the 18th Amendment the JPMC, NICH, NICVD, etc., were transferred to the provincial government.

However, senior doctors filed a petition against these directives. Now this will also open Pandora’s box, leading to a legal battle.

It should be the duty of the competent authority to take action if the JPMC administration proves ineffective and inefficient. There is a set of procedures for the issuance of show-cause notices or inquiries in such cases. But the removal of the executives on the pressure of a few people is unlawful and unethical.

What will happen if after a few days these protestors will do the same to get rid of the government-appointed administrator.

In hospitals this kind of attitude should not be acceptable. Doctors on strike should be treated according to the law. These people deserve removal for the breech of the code of conduct and the oath. They should be discouraged because of their action of misconduct, as a result of which many poor people suffer greatly.

DR ALFRED CHARLES Karachi