KARACHI: The medical fraternity across the province would observe a complete strike on Monday on a call of the Pakistan Medical Association in protest over the targeted killings of doctors and increasing demands of extortion.

The outpatient departments (OPDs) of all the public and private sector hospitals and private clinics owned by general physicians across Sindh would remain closed on Monday on the PMA call, which was backed by many other organisations representing the medical fraternity, according to community leaders.

“We will observe a black day on Monday by wearing black armbands and hoisting black flags at all public and private hospitals with complete closure of OPDs. All general practitioners’ clinics will also be closed,” PMA secretary general Dr Mirza Ali Azhar told Dawn.

The same day all doctors would gather at the PMA House, Karachi, to offer fateha and hold a candlelit vigil for their slain colleagues.

He said that the protest would be extended further if their demands were not met.

In follow-up measures, doctors would organise sit-ins and go on hunger strikes — first at the PMA House and hospitals and later at other places.

“We apologise to all our patients for whatever inconvenience they face due to our protests and hope that they understand that we are left with that only option to press for our demands,” he added.

Several organisations representing the community said they were united in their demand that the government act swiftly and feel its responsibility before “it is too late”.

They demanded an urgent announcement of compensation to the tune of Rs10 million for each of the assassinated medics.

The demand included effective security cover for doctors, immediate issuance of firearm licences for intending doctors and permission to carry the arms legally.

Besides, they demanded action against extortionist mafias and kidnappers whose cases should be sent to the military courts for speedy trial.

Published in Dawn, February 2nd, 2015

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