Doctors kidnapping: Public hospitals, private clinics to remain closed in protest

The abduction of three doctors in the last two months has led doctors, medical staff to take boycott duties.

PESHAWAR:

Public hospitals and private clinics in Peshawar will remain closed from Friday (today) in protest against the abduction of Dr Amjad Taqween. This was decided at a meeting at Hayatabad Medical Complex on Thursday.

Doctors present at the meeting added emergency treatment will be available.

As the protest entered its second day, doctors observed a strike at both Lady Reading Hospital (LRH) and Hayatabad Medical Centre, boycotting duties at outpatient departments (OPD) and operation theatres.



According to Provincial Doctors Association Chairman Dr Shah Sawar, this was just the first step. He said by Friday, all treatment centres across the province would be closed for an indefinite period.

The abduction of three doctors in the last two months has outraged doctors and medical staff. The most recent kidnapping took place on Tuesday. Dr Amjad Taqween, who heads Medical C-unit at LRH, was on his way home after Isha prayers when he was kidnapped by unidentified men in Hayatabad Phase VII.

Dr Sawar said Dr Taqween’s family very upset and waves of insecurity have spread amongst doctors.

“The government has failed to provide doctors with security as many of them have been attacked or abducted across the country,” he said. “If the government will not help find the doctors, they should be prepared to face the protests.”

Health Employees Coordination Council provincial president Dr Musa Kaleem reiterated public sector hospitals and private clinics will be closed from Friday and only available for emergency services. He said a meeting will be held at LRH to plan the next phase of the protest. Patients suffer but the government is not dealing with the issues seriously and so doctors were compelled to act, added Kaleem.

Treatment interrupted

Zahoor Jan, a resident of Upper Dir, told The Express Tribune doctors had not been to the wards in two days, creating problems for patients and caregivers.

Shabeer Ahmed from Peshawar said his patient had been prepped for surgery twice but was still waiting to be operated on. The patient needs immediate treatment but there was only so much the nurses could do, worried Ahmed.“My son was admitted to an orthopaedic ward five days ago but no doctor has tended to his problems,” shared the father, Subhan Ali, a resident of Mardan.

Hospital improvement

The Khyber Teaching Hospital also condemned Dr Taqween’s kidnapping at a meeting and demanded the government ensure his safe recovery.

At a management meeting, it was decided to complete the remaining work on the plastic surgery and burn unit in KTH and, in the best interests of patient care, another Rs 7 million was approved for the completion. The International Management Council approved Rs10.3 million for a hospital incinerator.

The council also agreed to 10 posts of BPS-17 medical officers for one year. Nine doctors were also promoted. KTH CEO Dr Inayat Shah Roghani was present at the meeting.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 6^th, 2013.