Allied hospitals’ staff await salaries

RAWALPINDI:

Doctors and support staff at the Rawalpindi District Headquarters Hospital and Benazir Bhutto General Hospital are facing a critical situation as their salaries for the previous month have not been disbursed, prompting warnings of a potential strike.

The delay in payment is attributed to the alleged negligence of the accounts staff at both healthcare facilities.

Despite the impending start of the month of Ramazan, employees, including doctors, are grappling with financial hardships due to the non-release of their salaries. A senior doctor from Benazir Hospital disclosed that, as of March 8, no salaries have been issued to any staff members, encompassing various departments such as gynaecology, emergency, paediatrics, surgery, orthopaedics, and sanitation workers, as well as the clerical staff. Echoing similar sentiments, staff members from District Headquarters Hospital expressed their concerns, emphasising that salaries for all categories, including senior and junior doctors, medical officers, ward staff, outpatient department (OPD) personnel, and support services, have not been received. The financial strain resulting from the non-payment of salaries has left the entire workforce in distress.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 10^th, 2024.