Paramedics demand same rights as doctors

Ask for health professional allowance, service structures.

SWAT: The Malakand Division Paramedical Association (MDPA) has warned protest if the government fails to initiate health professional allowance for paramedics. According to the association, their demands including provision of service structures, are yet to be fulfilled.

“Two months ago, Peshawar High Court issued directives to the government to fulfill the demands of the paramedics but no steps have been taken in this regard,” MDPA President Bashir Ahmad, said at a meeting.

The paramedics demand equal facilities as doctors. “Paramedics must be given all the same facilities as doctors under the Pakistan Essential Services Act 1958. Unfortunately, the government has not acted upon the court orders to provide health professional allowance,” Mian Gul Aleem, an executive member of the association, said.

He added that if the government is reluctant to give the allowance, then the Act should not be imposed upon them.

Meanwhile, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) Paramedical Association has already announced to protest in front of K-P Assembly on February 19 if the government did accept their demands.

The MDPA has endorsed the decision. “The Malakand Division Paramedical Association will also take part in the protest in front of the provincial assembly,” Javedullah another member executive council, said.

Moreover, they threatened a country-wide protest if their demands were not fulfilled on priority basis.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 18^th, 2013.