Health workers continue to boycott OPDs

GHA says govt is forcing their hand by ignoring demands

KARACHI: Continuing its boycott of the outpatient departments (OPDs) at government hospitals across the province, the Grand Health Alliance (GHA) marked its fifth day of protests on Friday.

Doctors, paramedics and nurses closed the OPDs at Dr Ruth Pfau Civil Hospital, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre and National Institute for Child Health in Karachi, among others.

While the boycott has caused inconvenience for patients visiting these hospitals, GHA leaders pointed out that the Sindh government was forcing their hand by not taking their issues seriously. They added that the protests would cease once their demands were approved, but warned that if this was not done, the OPDs would remain closed indefinitely.

The protesters claimed that they had earlier sought the provincial government's help regarding their issues and had asked it to resolve them to ensure that the public does not face any difficulties.

They added that it was not their aim to create suffering, but since the Sindh government had left them no choice, it should be held responsible for their actions and the inconvenience for the public.

The GHA has demanded the provision of a martyrs package for healthcare professionals dying due to coronavirus, health risk allowances, personal protective equipment, security and health professional allowances for frontline healthcare workers.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 13^th, 2020.