YDA demand end to political interference, fair pay as K-P declares health emergency

Young Doctors Association announces support to health emergency but urges the govt to take all stakeholders on board

PESHAWAR:

The Young Doctors Association Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa has announced its full support to the health emergency, declared by Chief Minister Sohail Afridi. They, however, stressed that the initiative will only succeed if the provincial government ensures adequate facilities in hospitals across the province.

Addressing a press conference at the Peshawar Press Club, YDA President Dr Asfandyar, accompanied by General Secretary Dr Asif Khan and other office-bearers, said that public hospitals remain severely under-equipped, leaving ordinary citizens deprived of essential healthcare services.

“We support the health emergency, but it cannot be implemented through political point-scoring,” he said, urging the government to take all stakeholders on board.

He criticised the practice of health ministers and secretaries conducting surprise raids on hospitals and suspending staff. “If hospitals lack basic facilities, how the staff can provide health services to people,” he asked.

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The YDA leaders further said, it is the government’s duty to ensure availability of equipment, expand ICU capacity, and address all other shortages so that patients coming from remote regions get required health care.

The association also condemned what it termed 12 years of political victimisation of doctors in the province. Dr Asfandyar highlighted the recent case of Dr Najeeb, Dr Majid, and Dr Rafi from DHQ Hospital Timergara, who were suspended after exposing corruption in the health department. Although the services tribunal provided relief, the health department allegedly suspended them again, which the YDA called an act of political revenge.

The YDA leadership further criticised the government for failing to increase salaries since 2017 for TMOs, HOs, and MTI employees.

He also protested against the imposition of Rs40,000 professional tax on doctors in K-P, whereas Punjab and Sindh charge only Rs5,000. “Doctors here pay 11 different taxes, yet there is no indication of any salary revision,” he added, urging the provincial government to address the long-standing grievances of the medical professionals.