SUKKUR: Doctors of government hospitals of Sukkur called off strike after six days on Thursday following patch-up between Deputy Commissioner Rahim Bux Maitlo and Government Anwar Piracha Hospital medical superintendent Iqbal Ahmed Siddiqui.

The doctors, paramedics and non-medical staff had boycotted work in Government Anwar Piracha Hospital, Sukkur Civil Hospital, Rohri Taluka Hospital and other healthcare facilities since Saturday in protest against arrest and registration of case against MS Dr Siddiqui at the behest of the deputy commissioner.

They were taking out rallies and holding protests against the DC after shutting outpatient departments and operation theatres compounding difficulties for the poor patients who visited the hospitals from remote areas to receive care.

As the protest dragged into the fifth day, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah ordered Sukkur Commissioner Mohammad Usman Chachar to settle the dispute between the striking doctors and the DC.

The commissioner convened a meeting between the DC and the MS at his office on Thursday in which the DC admitted that he was wrong and promised he would not let it happen again in future. Afterwards, they hugged each other, signifying end to the doctors’ strike, said Dr Rafiq Memon who was also at the meeting.

Published in Dawn, December 22nd, 2017