SUKKUR: Doctors, paramedics and other employees of the Sukkur Civil Hospital on Sunday decided to extend their indefinite strike to all public sector hospitals, dispensaries and other health facilities from Monday.

They have been observing a strike at the civil hospital since Thursday (Oct 19) when the fifth additional sessions judge of Sukkur ordered registration of an FIR against a team of doctors, paramedics and other employees present in the operating theatre over negligence leader to the dead of a patient, Mohammed Ayub.

The patient had undergone a surgery for burst ulcer and died a little afterwards. A lawyer, supported by several leaders and members of the district bar association, demanded registration of an FIR against the team and kept raising slogans while the case was being heard.

The agitating hospital staff went on a strike against the lawyers’ act of “pressuring the judge” to get the order passed.

On Sunday, they decided to extend their strike until the case was withdrawn and an apology was tendered by the lawyers involved.

They also announced that a protest rally would be taken out from the civil hospital on Monday and the participants would march up to the local press club to hold a sit-in there. They said the lower court’s order would be challenged in the Sindh High Court.

Published in Dawn, October 23rd, 2017