ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) staff on Wednesday held a three-hour strike in protest of a doctor being assaulted on the hospital premises.

The outpatient departments and wards were closed during the strike but the emergency and intensive care unit were open.

A large number of doctors, nurses and paramedics also took part in the protest which ended after a 72-hour deadline was agreed for the management to address the issue.

An official from the Karachi Company police also visited Pims and told the staff that a suspect had been identified and that he was already nominated in a number of cases. He said the suspect was at large and that his brother and father had been arrested.

An armed man had physically assaulted a woman doctor in the early hours of Tuesday and robbed a male doctor before fleeing. Young Doctors Association (YDA) President Dr Bilal Awan told Dawn that all employees of the hospital took part in the protest Wednesday morning and decided they will protest till their demands are met.

He added that hospital management said the security supervisor and concerned guard had been dismissed and that further steps were being taken to ensure hospital security.

Pims Executive Director Dr Raja Amjad told Dawn he was making efforts to address the issue.

Published in Dawn, June 21st, 2018