ISLAMABAD: Employees of Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) on Wednesday, while protesting against the Medical Teaching Institution (MTI) Ordinance, suspended all services, apart from the coronavirus and emergency ward.

The ordinance was promulgated by President of Pakistan Dr Arif Alvi last month, which suggests that the hospital will be run through a board of governors.

Protesters came out of the hospital and marched on the road, chanting slogans against the government for withdrawal of the presidential ordinance.

There was a full day strike and all departments of the hospital were closed except for the wards with Covid-19 and critical patients. Grand Health Alliance Chairman Dr Asfandyar Khan said the protest will continue until the government withdraws the ordinance.

A large number of employees including professors, doctors, nurses, paramedics, gazetted and non-gazetted employees and members of staff rallied and marched from Pims admin towards the Mother and Child Hospital.

One of the union leaders Tanveer Noshahi, while talking to Dawn, said the employees have decided to continue their protest till fulfillment of their demands, adding, it is unfortunate that PTI, which used to talk about education and health, has been trying to privatise the hospital.

“We have decided not to compromise on our demands and will go to any extent to address the issue,” he added.

Later, Special Assistant to Prime Minister (SAPM) on Health Dr Faisal Sultan said it is human nature to reject every new thing, adding: “Fact is that the MTI will allow speedy decision making due to which both employees and patients will be benefited. We will try to take employees on board but they should know that their every demand cannot be accepted.”

Published in Dawn, December 3rd, 2020