Striking medics and JUI-F

All political parties, except the PTI, have extended their support to the striking doctors

The strike by doctors, nurses and paramedics in K-P entered the 11the day on Oct 7. The Grand Health Alliance (GHA), the umbrella organisation under whose banner the strike is being observed, has refused to end the strike in return for the release of doctors and allied medicare staff working in government hospitals. They said they would not call off the strike until the government withdrew the Regional and District Health Authorities Act (RDHAA) of 2019. On Oct 5, the Peshawar High Court granted conditional interim bail to around 16 doctors and paramedics asking them to produce good conduct bonds and not to protest during duty hours. They were arrested under the MPO on Sept 27. Striking doctors say they are working in all departments except the OPDs. The GHA claims doctors, nurses and paramedics were thrashed by the police outside the Lady Reading Hospital, Peshawar around a week ago while they were on their way to the provincial assembly to stage a peaceful protest against the RDHAA and for acceptance of other demands.

All political parties, except the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), have extended their support to the striking doctors. On Oct 4, leaders of the GHA held a meeting with Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman to seek his support in their struggle. A GHA leader told reporters that they would organise medical camps during the Azadi March announced by the JUI-F from Oct 27. The likelihood of the JUI-F supporting the doctors’ strike would further strengthen Maulana Fazl’s attempt to topple the PTI-led government at the centre. Maulana Fazl can easily enlist the support of large numbers of madrassa students and now the likely support of doctors would add to his backing among the masses. Things seem to be looking up for the JUI-F sponsored march.

Doctors maintain that the proposed law would disincentivise them.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 8^th, 2019.

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