Doctors resume duty after calling off strike in Balochistan

Govt announces acceptance of all YDA demands


Our Correspondent April 07, 2022
Young Doctors Association Chairman Dr Hafeez Mandokhail, flanked by colleagues, addresses a presser at the Quetta Press Club. PHOTO: PPI

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QUETTA:

Doctors on Wednesday resumed their services in emergency and outpatients departments (OPD) across public hospitals in Balochistan after the end of a six-month-long strike by the Young Doctors Association (YDA).

Much to the relief of a common man, the YDA Balochistan called off its protest on Tuesday night. The decision was welcomed by the general public and government alike.

“We have decided to resume emergency and other services across Balochistan,” the President of the YDA, Dr Bahar Shah, announced at a news conference on Tuesday night.

Balochistan Health Minister, Syed Ehsan Shah, Secretary Health Saleh Nasar and a large number of the young doctors were also present on the occasion.

The YDA went on strike on November 29, 2021 to press government on their demands including availability of medicines and provision of medical equipment at hospitals, enhancement of salary package for doctors and appointment of doctors through public service commission. The health authorities warned them of disciplinary action if found absent from duties, forcing the YDA to further prolong its strike.

The closure of casualty, emergency services and OPDs caused great inconvenience to general public.

These ‘actions’ and ‘counter actions’ between YDA and government developed into a permanent tussle between the two camps, causing great inconvenience for the patients.

“Government has accepted all the demands of YDA so they are ending their strike,” the provincial Health Minister Syed Ehsan Shah, told reporters.

YDA was demanding an increase in risk and professional allowance and the provision of equipment for government-run hospitals in Balochistan.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 7th, 2022.

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