Unlike we have seen many times in the past across provinces, the house officers have been protesting in an ethical manner, after their patients have been seen. They have also been working without guarantee that they will receive compensation for the work they have completed thus far. The hospital administration and the Sindh health department need to realise that if officers refuse to perform their complete duties by deciding to emphasise their protest to a larger degree, their impoverished patients suffer the most.
It is embarrassing that only salaries for a limited number of doctors have been released to the JPMC despite the number of seats being raised a decade ago. This is characteristic of our government, however. It has been slow to make positive change and progress and lethargic in updating its systems. The government also has provided limited labour rights and through these actions, it has demonstrated its little concern towards citizens who suffer as a result of such weak policies.
Integrity has hardly been an expectation of government agencies. Despite the dignity afforded to doctors in the country, the non-payment of salaries makes it difficult for them to stay. It is no wonder many decide to leave the country for better job opportunities abroad, primarily to match the length and rigour of their education to salaries earned.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 24th, 2018.
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