As paramedics continue protest, thousands suffer

Tug-of-war between Chandka Medical College Hospital’s new superintendent and union of paramedical staff continues.

SUKKUR:

Thousands of patients in Larkana are waiting for some respite as the tug-of-war between Chandka Medical College Hospital’s newly appointed superintendent and a union of the paramedical staff continues.

Two patients, Ahmed Nawaz Memon of Thari Hashim Goth near Larkana and Gulistan Bibi of Mehar reportedly died while waiting for treatment.

The paramedical staff at the Civil hospital, Chandka teaching hospital, Shaikh Zayed Women’s Hospital and Shaikh Zayed Children’s Hospital have been boycotting their duties for the past five days, demanding immediate removal of newly posted medical superintendent, Dr Zulfiqar Sial. The paramedical staff of the hospitals contend that Dr Sial - who was appointed last Thursday - is a grade 19 officer. According to the rules, this grade is not high enough for someone to be appointed a medical superintendent, say the protesters.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 19^th, 2013.