Final warnings: Multan still nursing old wounds

Protesting nurses say the government shouldn’t force them to take the ‘YDA route’.

MULTAN:


Over 1,000 nurses from different hospitals in the Multan division organised the largest demonstration in two weeks for an increase in their current wages on Monday.


The protest rally began from Nishtar Hospital, Multan and moved towards the district coordination officer’s (DCO) office.

The protesting nurses demanded emergency funds, risk funds and allowances which the government had ceased earlier. They threatened a complete boycott of medical services in all hospitals of Multan if their demands were not meant. “We don’t work any less than doctors. We put in more hours and we deserve some security,” said a protester Aaliya Saadat.


The protesters raised slogans against the silent treatment by the prime minister, chief minister and district administrative officials. “We have been protesting for weeks but we haven’t gotten an answer. The authorities haven’t even acknowledged our concerns. If they continue to remain silent we are willing to take this further,” said a protester Bushra Bibi.

“The PM and CM only take notice when people take drastic measures. So far we have been protesting peacefully but if they want us to do what the Young Doctors Association (YDA) did and boycott the hospitals, we will,” said protest leader Afia Rahmat.

More than 100 police officials were deployed at along the protest route. “The police had been deployed to ensure that the protesting nurses didn’t gain entrance to the DCO office,” said Babar.

“They stopped outside the gates and chanted slogans for hours,” he added. An eyewitness told reporters that one nurse fainted after the long demonstration. “The protest lasted for over six hours,” he added.

“They’ve been coming out every few days but today’s protest was the largest. They took a rally through the heart of the city,” said a commuter Ishrat Bibi.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 22nd, 2011.
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