KARACHI: Representing junior doctors, nurses, paramedics, lady health workers, the Grand Health Alliance (GHA) is back to its protest threatening a complete closure of outpatient department services at public sector hospitals and the upcoming anti-polio drive.

The alliance held its second day of agitation by holding a token strike from 8am till 10am at all government-run hospitals across Sindh on Tuesday.

“We are forced to resume our protest after almost two months since the government hasn’t delivered on any of its promises,” Dr Faizan Memon of Young Doctors’ Association told Dawn.

He regretted that there was no progress on health workers’ issues despite multiple meetings with government representatives.

“We withdrew from our demand regarding the Covid risk allowance on the official assurance that our salaries and allowances would be brought at par with those of our counterparts in other provinces. But, the government’s assurances haven’t materialised,” he said.

GHA to resume protest due to unfulfilled promises

The alliance has demanded a uniform policy for professional allowance, timely appointments and promotions of all cadres and bringing salaries of doctors in Sindh at par with their counterparts in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

It plans to hold a press conference at the Karachi Press Club on Thursday (tomorrow) where it would announce its action plan in coming days.

“If the government doesn’t pay heed to our demands, healthcare providers wouldn’t vote for PPP and boycott upcoming election duties and anti-polio campaign,” he said.

He added that the withdrawal of health risk allowance had affected all workers and the protest would not be ended this time unless this grievance was addressed.

Last year, patient services at public sector hospitals across Sindh had been paralysed for over a month on account of medical staffs’ protest, which also saw clashes with police that led to injuries due to baton-charge by law enforcers.

Sources said the closure of all key medical services at public sector hospitals caused a lot of difficulties to poor patients, particularly those who couldn’t afford private treatment, as mortalities had been reported during the strike.

The agitation started after the health department withdrew the Covid-19 risk allowance in October last year.

Published in Dawn, January 11th, 2023

Opinion

Editorial

Judiciary’s SOS
Updated 28 Mar, 2024

Judiciary’s SOS

The ball is now in CJP Isa’s court, and he will feel pressure to take action.
Data protection
28 Mar, 2024

Data protection

WHAT do we want? Data protection laws. When do we want them? Immediately. Without delay, if we are to prevent ...
Selling humans
28 Mar, 2024

Selling humans

HUMAN traders feed off economic distress; they peddle promises of a better life to the impoverished who, mired in...
New terror wave
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

New terror wave

The time has come for decisive government action against militancy.
Development costs
27 Mar, 2024

Development costs

A HEFTY escalation of 30pc in the cost of ongoing federal development schemes is one of the many decisions where the...
Aitchison controversy
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

Aitchison controversy

It is hoped that higher authorities realise that politics and nepotism have no place in schools.