Patients continue to suffer in K-P as deadlock persists between govt, GHA

Protesting doctors demand resignation of Provincial Health Minister Hisham Inamullah Khan

PESHAWAR: Patients continued to suffer in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) as the ongoing strike by doctors and paramedics entered the 28th day.

A deadlock persists between the Grand Health Alliance (GHA) and the provincial government. As a result of the strike, out-patient departments in government hospitals remain closed.

Protesting doctors have demanded the resignation of Provincial Health Minister Hisham Inamullah Khan

 

The provincial government has upheld district and regional health authorities’ decision to enforce the law whereas doctors have decided to continue their protest.

The provincial health department has prepared a list of 50 doctors whom it considers to be the 'masterminds' behind the ongoing protests.



Federal and Punjab GHA members had also invited K-P doctors for a long-march towards Islamabad on October 25 for acceptance of their demands.

Earlier it was reported that the doctors had also decided to stop providing in-door services at all hospitals in the province.

The provincial health department has sought permission from the Provincial Public Service Commission to appoint some 450 doctors on Basic Pay-Scale (BPS) Grade 17 to fill slots of those doctors who either wish to quit or whom the government wants to sack for their role in the protests.