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Sindh doctors observe strike again

KARACHI: The doctors of Sindh under the banner of the Joint Action Committee announced a complete boycott of OPDs and Operation Theaters (OTs) throughout the Sindh province on Wednesday, February 13th, 2019.

Vice-President, Young Doctors Association (YDA), Sindh, Dr Waris Ali Jakhrani, stated that the doctors of Sindh would observe a complete strike across the province again owing to a delay in the issuance of notification regarding an increase of salaries of Sindh doctors on par with that of other provinces.

He stated that the double standard of authorities concerned with the Sindh Health Department has compelled doctors to go on strike again as the provincial government had failed to fulfill its earlier commitment. He informed that the Sindh Government had not issued a notification yet despite the passage of almost twelve days.

Jakhrani announced that doctors from all over the Sindh province would observe a complete boycott of OPDs and OTs services for an increase in salaries on the patron of other provinces, timely promotions, and safety at hospitals. However, emergencies of hospitals will remain open as per schedule.

Earlier, the Joint Action Committee of Doctors had observed a complete strike and boycott of OPDs throughout the Sindh province for three-days petitioning for a rise in salaries and allowance on par with that of other provinces but ended the protest on the assurance of the Provincial Minister for Health, Dr Azra Fazal Pechuho.

Scores of operations and consultation appointments were canceled throughout Sindh province due to the doctors’ strike, who are protesting against the Sindh Health Department for not issuing a notification of increase in doctors’ salaries as per its commitment.

Hundreds of doctors staged protest demonstrations at the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Dr Ruth Pfau Civil Hospital Karachi, National Institute of Child Health, Sindh Government Lyari General Hospital, Sindh Government Hospital Korangi, Sindh Government Hospital Liaquatabad, Sindh Government Qatar Hospital, and other health facilities.

The strike call jointly was given by the Young Doctors Association, Sindh, Pakistan Medical Association (PMA), Sindh and Functional Doctors Forum. The proceedings were led by Vice-President, YDA, Sindh Dr Waris Ali Jakhrani, General Secretary PMA Sindh, Dr Pir Manzoor Ali, Dr Rashid Lakhiar, Dr Qamar and others.

Besides Karachi, the doctors observed a complete strike in Hyderabad, Sukkur, Larkana, Badin, Dadu, Jacobabad, Kashmore, Thatta, Mirpurkhas, Sanghar Tando Allahyar, Jamshoro and other towns of the province.

The protesters carried placards inscribed with different slogans, demanded an increase in salaries, the protection of doctors at their respective workplaces and the promotion of doctors as per service structure. They also chanted slogans against Sindh Health Department officials over the delay in the issuance of notification.

Vice-President, YDA, Sindh Dr Waris Ali Jakhrani announced that the protest demonstrations and boycott of OPDs would continue in the province as no representative of the Sindh Health Department has approached the protesting doctors for negotiation as yet.

He clarified that the doctors do not want to stage protests or boycott OPDs, but the indifferent attitude of the Sindh government has compelled them to take the necessary actions.