Doctors’ strike: PDA welcomes pay raise package

PESHAWAR:

The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) Provincial Doctors Association (PDA) Thursday welcomed the pay raise package announced for the doctors in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. The association also called for a seven per cent allocation of the total fiscal budget for health sectors to improve health delivery system in K-P.

PDA Provincial President Dr Shahsawar welcomed the decision by the government, and extended gratitude to K-P Chief Minister Ameer Haider Khan Hoti and K-P Health Minister Zahir Ali Shah for accepting their demands.

He said the PDA believed in negotiations for resolution of all issues, and the protest campaign was used as the last resort.

During the protest, the doctors had kept the needs of patients in consideration and provided emergency cover in different teaching hospitals and periphery units.

“The doctors’ community would support any step taken to improve health delivery system in K-P,” he remarked.

He assured that the doctors will fulfil their duties with commitment after the announcement of the revised pay package.

He demanded autonomy of health institutions in the province, and called for comprehensive security arrangements in hospitals.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 29^th, 2011.