SOUTH WAZIRISTAN: The employees of two major hospitals in Lower South Waziristan district continued their protest on Monday against non-payment of their salary.

The protesting employees have locked down all the departments, including the out-patient departments and emergency services, causing immense difficulty to both patients and their attendants.

The employees of the District Headquarters Hospital, Wana, while carrying placards inscribed with their demand marched on the premises of the health facility. They also chanted slogans against the health department and the provincial government over their alleged apathy.

The protesting employees warned of continuing their agitation if their demand was not met.

Dr Hamad Mahmood, medical Superintendent of the DHQ Hospital, who also participated in the protest, expressed disappointment with the provincial government’s failure to deliver funds on time to pay salary of the staff and ensure smooth functioning of the hospital. He said the strike was severely affecting patient care.

Meanwhile, the protest by the employees of the Sholam Hospital, Wana, entered the third day on Monday with all departments, including the emergency services, remaining closed.

The employees marched on the Sholam-Angoor Adda Road, chanting slogans against the provincial government and the health department, and demanding immediate payment of their withheld salary.

Dr Kaleem Wazir, a protest leader, said that the hospital, which had around 60 employees, was run under the public-private partnership mode. He said the hospital was facing funding issues.

When contacted, Saifullah, financial officer of Trans-Continental Pharma, which runs the hospital, told Dawn that the finance department had been approached for the release of funds, and hoped that the money would be released soon.

Published in Dawn, October 1st, 2024