GHA protests continue at MTI amid govt crackdown in Punjab

Doctors start arriving, even from areas outside provincial capital

LAHORE: Authorities concerned have decided to present a united front against the ongoing protests, in all government hospitals of the provincial capital, against the Medical Teaching Institutions (MTI) Act.

Meanwhile, special instructions have been issued by the Ministry of Health, calling all the principals and medical superintendents (MS) for an emergency meeting. Arrests of the doctors leading the protest are expected, the matter of secret support to the Grand Health Alliance (GHA) by the administrative officers will be discussed and the suggestion to transfer protesting doctors to far-flung areas will also be considered.



On the other hand, the GHA has also completed its preparations today to block all the major roads. Apart from blocking roads, the Punjab Assembly will also be surrounded by the protesters. Doctors have started arriving, even from areas outside the provincial capital and will be staying in hostels.

All preparations for the implementation of the MTI Act have been completed in government hospitals across the province.

On the directives of the government in this regard, an emergency meeting was convened yesterday, chaired by the provincial health minister in which the principals and MS personnel of all the teaching hospitals were summoned and directed that no one should be allowed to hold protests or strike in any hospital on Monday.

Also, the lists of disruptive doctors, nurses and other paramedical staff who were involved in spreading chaos and uncertainty has been compiled in this regard, and it is suggested that action may be taken against these executive officers if administrative staff or other hospital officials would be unable to stop them.

Moreover, the arrests of doctors could be made overnight. Reportedly, GHA Chief Health Officer Dr Atif Chaudhry and Dr Salman Haseeb along with their companions have also set up the programme of protest and doctors from other cities have been encouraged to take a part in the protest against the MTI Act. Doctors coming from other cities will be staying at the hostel.

Dengue patients suffer

The GHA's continuous strike in government hospitals across Punjab is causing extreme difficulties for dengue patients. The absence of medical staff is affecting patients in need of medical assistance and there are no diagnostic tests or services available.

The situation has raised concerns among dengue patients and their attendants who have demanded from authorities concerned to ensure the presence of senior doctors in dengue wards.



Doctors, nurses and paramedical staff participated in the strike carried out by GHA. The absence of the medical staff has contributed to the suffering of dengue patients as they play an important role in providing medication and diagnostic tests of dengue.

The closure of laboratories and other medical facilities has resulted in chaos and fear among patients and their families.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 14^th, 2019.