SAHIWAL: The strike by the doctors and paramedics at the Sahiwal Teaching Hospital (STH) ended on Monday after 16 days, following a deal brokered between the government and the protesters by health ministers Khawaja Salman Rafiq and Khawaja Imran Nazir and health secretary Ali Jan.

King Edward Medical College Vice Chancellor (VC) Dr Mahmood Ayaz and Fatima Jinnah Medical College VC Dr Khalid Mahmood also participated in the negotiations.

The representatives of the Young Nurses Association, Allied Staff Association and Pakistan Medical Association jointly announced to end the strike with both outpatient department (OPD) and general wards set to resume operations on Tuesday (today).

The agreement included appointment of a new medical superintendent (MS) while proceedings against Dr Umer Farooq under PEEDA -2016 will continue. Dr Mahboob Akhter, the former MS, would be reinstated as the head of Surgical III at the teaching hospital.

The ministers also rejected the resignation of Prof Dr Imran Hasan, confirming his role to continue as the principal of the Sahiwal Medical College.

The stand-off began when the doctors demanded the reversal of punitive action and a public apology from the government and district police for the manhandling of the doctors during a visit by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz. Her visit followed the death of 11 children at the hospital due to alleged negligence of the administration.

The chief minister had ordered the arrest of four doctors, including the principal of Sahiwal Medical College, leading to baton charge against the protesting doctors and paramedics by the police.

Published in Dawn, July 2nd, 2024