LANDI KOTAL: Scores of lady health workers took to the streets and blocked Peshawar-Torkham Highway for some time to agitate against nonpayment of their 11-month salary.

The protesting LHVs chanted slogans against officials of Fata health department and staged a sit-in on the main road that caused suspension of traffic for some time. The protesters included both young and aged health workers mostly belonging to poor families.

A protesting LHV from Maniyakhel tribe of Jamrud told Dawn that she was a widow and mother to nine children.

She said that she had to beg for loans among her community for the treatment of her son, who had been suffering from arthritic for the last four years.

“I am looking after all my children and three grandchildren in very limited financial resources,” she said in a chocked voice. She added that she along with scores of other health workers was awaiting payment of salary.

Another protesting lady health worker said it was very hard for them to come on roads but they were compelled to do so as they had no other source of income.

They ended their protest and cleared the main road after an assurance by officials of the political administration, local elders and Agency Surgeon Dr Shafeeq Afridi that the issue of their salaries would be resolved before Eidul Fitr.

Published in Dawn, May 22nd, 2018