KARACHI: All medical services except that of emergency remained closed at the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD) for the third consecutive day due to health workers’ protest that ended after prolonged negotiations on Wednesday.

The protest caused immense problems and mental agony for hundreds of patients and their relatives who came to the NICVD but had to return without getting treatment.

“Three out of four demands have been met after which the union announced the end of the protest. But, we will resume the protest, if the management doesn’t honour its promises,” said Mohammad Umar, representing the NICVD Unity Group.

The management, he said, had agreed to pay the Covid-19 risk allowance of 14 months from March 20, regularise daily wagers and pay health risk allowance from March 15.

“We are assured that our concern pertaining to delayed promotions will be looked into,” he said, adding that staffers performed their duties in the emergency department, intensive care units, critical care units and wards despite protest.

Published in Dawn, January 13th, 2022