Healthcare: Strikes not a solution to any problem, says Salman Rafiq

LAHORE: Adviser to CM on Health Khwaja Salman Rafiq said on Sunday that strict action would be taken against anyone involved in disrupting the working environment at hospitals.

He was presiding over a joint meeting of government medical colleges’ principals, medical superintendents and nursing superintendents of teaching and autonomous hospitals.

“Action will be taken against those creating hurdles in the treatment of patients and compelling nurses to go on strike by forcing them to come out of wards,” he said.

Specialised Healthcare and Medical Education Secretary Najam Ahmed Shah, Heath Special Secretary Dr Sajid Chohan, senior officers of Health Department and principals of all medical colleges were present on the occasion.

Rafiq said that government had taken several steps for welfare of nurses and resolving their problems. “Their genuine issues will be addressed in future as well. Nurses are the backbone of the healthcare system. Besides promotion of nurses to next grade, the Health Department has created hundreds of new vacancies. A special allowance of Rs10,000 is also being given to grade 16 nurses,” he said.

He said that all the issues should be resolved amicably.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 30^th, 2016.