BHUs employees protest against privatisation

CHAKWAL:

Just like in the rest of Punjab, the protest against the privatisation policy of the Punjab government continues in Chakwal and Talagang.

On the first day of the protest, on Saturday, a large number of Basic Health Units (BHUs) employees gathered in front of the office of the Chakwal Health Department CEO and raised slogans. Later, in the second phase of the protest, they recorded a statement outside the office of the Chakwal Deputy Commissioner.

Speaking to media representatives, the employees expressed their frustration, stating that the state is like a mother, but that this mother is trying to take away their livelihood. They claimed that they had worked in these centres for 30 years, places that were once shelters for drug addicts and stray animals. "While Punjab is facing privatisation and our jobs are being taken away, employees in the other three provinces are even receiving advance salaries for Eid," they said.

During the protest, female workers were seen crying and pleading with the Chief Minister of Punjab to save them from unemployment. They emphasised that they were not demanding pensions, additional benefits, or salary increments, but only wanted to keep their jobs.

They further suggested that if the government wants to establish Maryam Nawaz Health Clinics, it should do so in remote areas where BHU services are unavailable. They pointed out that many villages in Chakwal lack health facilities and the government should set up clinics in those areas to facilitate the public.