FHA protest over MTI intensifies

Medics, nurses and paramedics at the largest tertiary care hospital in the federal capital continued for a second day on Tuesday their protest against the government’s plans to impose the medical teaching institute system on them. They decided to further intensify their protest by boycotting non-essential wards for the entire day apart from vowing to block the entry of board members.

The medical and paramedical staff of the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims), gathered outside the wards of the hospital, under the banner of the Federal Health Alliance (FHA). They held up placards and posters inscribed with slogans such as “earning profits on medical treatment not acceptable”.

They boycotted work in all wards and departments of the hospital, except for the critical wards such as emergency and the ward dedicated for novel coronavirus (Covid-19) patients.

The healthcare workers protested against the government’s plans to enforce the Medical Teaching Institute (MTI) Act, which they believe will prove detrimental for poor patients.

FHA Chairman Dr Asfandyar Khan said that a three-day deadline given to the government to withdraw the MTI Act has ended.

He warned that their protest will now extend from a few hours to the entire day. Further, he said that all wards, except those designated for Covid-19 patients and the emergency department, will remain closed at Pims.

Dr Asfandyar added that they will also not allow members of Pims’ board to enter the healthcare facility.

Separately, FHA spokesperson Dr Haider Abbasi said that they did not want to stage a protest in the middle of a deadly second wave of the pandemic but were compelled to do so due to the illogical decisions of the government at such a critical time.

He asserted that the protest will continue until the MTI Act is revoked.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 2^nd, 2020.