OPDs to reopen in Sindh govt hospitals as GHA calls off strike

Development comes after the provincial government accepts demands

KARACHI: The Grand Health Alliance (GHA) announced an end to their protest and the reopening of outpatient departments (OPDs) in public hospitals after the Sindh government accepted their demands on Monday.

Protesting for the last 15 days, the GHA had decided to march towards the Chief Minister House after their ultimatum of 72 hours expired on Monday.

Doctors, nurses and paramedics repeated their demands, which included the provision of martyrdom packages for health professionals dying of Covid-19, personal protective equipment, health risk allowances, security, promotion of nurses and paramedics under four-tier formula and implementation on service structure, at the Karachi Press Club on Monday.

Before they could begin their march at 1pm, the Sindh health department contacted their representatives for negotiations.

A three-member GHA delegation met the Sindh health secretary, who pledged to take the matter to Sindh Information Minister Syed Nasir Hussain Shah and Sindh Education and Labour Minister Saeed Ghani, while assuring them a notification approving their demands would be issued by 4pm.

Meanwhile, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) workers gathered at the KPC, shouting slogans in favour of the government.

Claiming they were raising their voices to obtain their rights, GHA leader Dr Mehboob claimed the PPP workers had been sent by the government to put pressure on them.

GHA leaders were later summoned for negotiations with Shah and Ghani. Following the meeting, GHA's Dr Waris stated that their demands have been approved, with a notification to be issued within two weeks.