Protest over closure of charity clinic

ISLAMABAD: Residents of two informal settlements on Tuesday protested against what they termed the “illegal and unjust” government closure of a charity healthcare facility in sector F-7/4.

On April 27, the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) administration closed a free trust-run treatment centre – Kalsoom Diabetic Clinic – which served hundreds of working class people, mostly from informal settlements.

The protest was organised by the Awami Workers Party (AWP).

Around 35 protesters gathered outside the clinic, bearing placards demanding that the clinic be reopened.

Residents of France Colony in F-7/4 and 100 Quarters in F-6/2 along with activists of AWP participated in the protest.

They said the facility had been established on Auqaf department land and that the ICT Administration now wants to rent out the space.

“Supply of diabetes control medication to hundreds of under-treatment patients has been stopped due to the closure of facility. Poor patients cannot afford the exorbitant fees of private clinics,” said AWP Minority Secretary Shabana Robin.

Rani Baji, a resident of France Colony, explained the potential ramifications for her community.

“Where will our mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, children go now? We cannot afford treatment for diabetes.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 11^th, 2016.