ABBOTTABAD: The doctors of the Ayub Teaching Hospital-Ayub Medical College on Monday decided that they would to continue with their strike until their demands were met.

The development comes after the failure of their talks with provincial minister Mushtaq Ghani and local MNA Dr Azhar Khan Jadoon on Sunday evening.

The doctors, including professors and associate professors, held a meeting on the premises on Monday and unanimously agreed to continue boycotting duty until the meeting of their demands by the government.

The participants said they’re not satisfied with the government’s assurances and would continue making a struggle for the acceptance of their demands.

Meanwhile, the ATH administration issued a warning to protesting doctors and professors.

In the notices, the protesters were told to immediately join their respective duties under the essential services rule to avoid strict disciplinary action.

The strike, which entered sixth day on Monday, stressed out patients as no major operation was conducted by surgeons.

The visitors, including the residents of far-flung areas of Hazara division, northern parts of the country, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, were pushed from pillar to post for examination and treatment, including surgical procedures.

Saleem Ahmed, an 84-year-old orthopedic patient from Oghi, said he had awaiting operation for the last five days since the main hospital of his area had referred him to the ATH.

Also in the day, the ATH public relations officer issued a statement claiming that despite the doctors’ strike, more than 8,000 patients were treated and 4,736 visitors were examined in the morning and evening OPDs during the three days.

He said during the last three days, around 4,000 patients were treated in emergency; 187 operations were conducted; 1,571 new patients were admitted; 1,657 patients were discharged; CT scan of 170 patients were done; 55 patients had MRI scan, and 108 dialysis were performed.

About the demands of the protesting doctors, the PRO said compensation to the families of the deceased doctors had been already approved.

“Once we receive funds from the government, they will be distributed to the families,” he said.

The PRO also said the decision of the use of biometric attendance machines on the premises was a provincial matter, which was being taken up with the government.

Published in Dawn, May 30th, 2017