Everyone talks about the ethics, moral responsibilities and duties of doctors, but few acknowledge their struggles, low wages and workplace discrimination, Women doctors often face workplace bias, favouritism based on appearance, sycophancy and nepotism.
From senior doctors to patients, many hospital staff members overlook their hard work, judging them through rigid gender norms prevalent in society. Unfortunately, public hospitals are rife with such practices. The safety and security of women doctors remain at a serious risk. Long duty hours, often 30-hour calls combined with 12-hour emergency shifts, night duties and mandatory hospital stays are imposed without adequate privacy or security.
These unsafe working conditions highlight deep vulnerable conditions within the healthcare system and demand prompt attention to these issues. Reforms must begin by addressing doctors’ grievances and ensuring a fair remuneration based on the number and intensity of duty hours. It is also necessary to stop, consequently, the exodus of qualified doctors to middle east and western countries for higher remunerations.
Munawar Siddiqui
Lahore
