Local political parties urge quick end to strike

Suggest the government take legal action to end the impasse

ABBOTTABAD: The ongoing strike by doctors at the Ayub Teaching Hospital (ATH), which continued for a fourth day on Friday, has drawn the ire of some local nationalists parties who have warned of a serious reaction unless the issue is resolved soon.

The strike had started on Tuesday on the call of Provincial Doctors Association (PDA) who were protesting against the lack of housing facilities for doctors inside the ATH. Forced to live in private hostels, the doctors had claimed that such accommodation posed a security risk with at least two doctors dying under mysterious circumstances over the past six months.



Realising that a complete shutdown would have serious consequences, the doctors continued to treating patients during their protest by setting up Outpatient Departments in the hospital’s grounds.

Besides a hostel, the medics want Rs5 million as compensation to be paid to the family of Dr Faisal, who had died at a private hostel due to gas leakage last month, inquiry into the hiring of officials at some senior posts, delay in making the gynecology and children block functional and reduction in seats for the college of dentistry.

On the other hand, the office of the ATH Board of Governors Chairman Javed Khan Pani released a statement on Friday reiterating that he had assured doctors that all of their issues would be resolved. However, he lamented that the protesting doctors were not satisfied and had refused to resume their routine duties.

Meanwhile, Hazara Qaumi Mahaz Chairman Qazi Azhar lamented the situation. He noted that the strike was, in fact, exposing the poor people of Hazara to healthcare problems which were excessive and unlawful.



He stressed that the ATH and provincial government must resolve the matter at the earliest.

Baba Haider Zaman chief of Tehrik Suba Hazara Party also criticised the situation and echoed the opinion that the provincial government must take legal action to bring the strike to an end.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 1^st, 2017.