Hospitals witness protest over 'harassment'

KARACHI:

Doctors and paramedical staff staged protests at Karachi's major public-sector hospitals, demanding protection of their professional rights, dignity and security amid growing resentment over what they described as harassment, unjustified legal action and policies imposed without consultation.

The demonstrations were held at the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC) and the National Institute of Child Health (NICH) in response to a nationwide protest call by the Pakistan Medical Association (PMA), Joint Action Committee and other medical organisations.

The protests were attended by representatives of the Young Doctors Association (YDA) Sindh and Karachi Division, along with doctors and healthcare workers from the participating hospitals.

The protesters voiced concern over what they termed unjustified registration of FIRs against doctors, legal proceedings, harassment, humiliation and character assassination. They also opposed the Federal Board of Revenue's (FBR) policy making the Point of Sale (POS) system mandatory for private clinics and healthcare facilities.

Doctors said the medical profession was already grappling with numerous administrative and professional challenges, while the threat of allegedly unfair criminal proceedings and harassment had further heightened insecurity among healthcare workers.