The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has expressed concern over the sufferings of the people on account of the prolonged doctors’ strike in the Punjab and the government’s failure to amicably resolve the issue.
A statement issued on Monday called upon both sides to stop wrangling for the sake of the people. It said that protests and strikes were not unheard of in Pakistan, but never had such situations led to suspension of work in the emergency wards. It said the commission believed that by abandoning their life-saving vows to press for their demands, doctors had contributed to the loss of sympathy for them.
“Some of the doctors’ demands may be justified, but the ongoing wrangling is symptomatic of the anarchy of thought,” it said. The commission also criticised the ‘coercive tactics’ used by the Punjab government.
The Commission has sought for examining the fading role and lack of representative character of the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 3rd, 2012.
COMMENTS (9)
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MBBS kar k diboya hai. WHY are you punishing the people of Pakistan for the mistakes of our Government? And how dare you criticize the government when you are no better than those jerks? You have descended like just another horrible punishment for the people of Pakistan. I wonder if you'd refuse your own parents treatment if they came to you? I wish the last thing you think about in this life is the people who died because of your negligence and I hope it weighs down your currently sleeping conscience. Pathetic. The mazdoors work harder than you to feed families bigger than yours and earn less than 10k and YET they haven't gone on a killing spree. Parhay likhay jahil.
Media should also realize that during 13 days OPD strike no one died It was only with the patients who are stable no risk of life......All deaths reported are due to LAL MASJID operation by Civil Dictator that lead to this awkward situation where doctors had to run to save their lives.....Punjab Govt should have alternative but they didnt have that responsibility lies with GOVT.
Doctors are part of society if they are striving to snatch resources from corrupt govt which they want to use in election campaign Civil society should appreciate this.... Every member of society should ASK GOVT its responsibility of Govt to provide you healthcare its not doctors responsibility. By all tactics they have failed to provide.. Its responsibility of GOVT to satisfy doctors by all means.... But they have chosen martial law tactics Did lal masjid operation on Doctors Hostel By civil Dictator Shahbaz Sharif... Its total collapse of Civilian Govt They should sought official apology from Doctors community and Satisfy them to work peacefully not forcefully.
in 1981 a pepsi was 4rs and petrol was 17 rs litre. sugar was 9 . need i educate u in the concept of inflation my friend ?
@Dr Imran: Doctor sahab. In 1981 the Exchange rate was (Rs.10=$1USD) So you made $200. Not much mind you. Now days USD trades at Rs 96. So they are making $208 (Rs.20,000).
And if you look at the absolute Dollar depreciation.Compared to the 1774 Dollar , the buying power of 1981 Dollar is $.1 and the 2010 $.03. Your eras one dollar is equal to today $.3
So, $208 today is equal to $62 (Rs.624) in your time. To match your pay back then, House officers will have to be paid $ 666 or Rs. 64 000 in todays money..
Add to this many House officers now days work w/o pay or at a honorary capacity. A concept unknown in your time. Plus the training facilities and paths have gone down the drain. And pt load has gone up.
The demands might be legitimate and surely, Punjab government’s method of dealing is extremely irresponsible but the strike is completely unjustified. The doctors could have easily taken their case to the Supreme Court. They have a verdict in their favour as they claim, so if the implementation was not done by the government then why didn’t they just file a complain in the Supreme Court. A court that can oust a sitting PM for not implementing the courts’s verdict could have easily helped them out. But instead the doctors decided to take their frustration out on the poor masses. No matter how justified their demands are, it doesn’t give them a license to cause pain and suffering to others.
@Dr Imran: or become a doctor, you can earn more like that. with private clicnics, blackmail govt in govt sector and then sell patient kidneys etc.
In 1981 my salary as a House physician was Rs 2000.
Today its over 20,000
If you wanted more money you should have become a smuggler