Protest for demands: Civil hospital MLOs go on strike

KARACHI:

The medico-legal officers (MLOs) of Civil Hospital, Karachi, went on a strike on Monday for an indefinite period at a time when the hospital is facing a large number of patients suffering from heatstroke. Senior MLO Dr Nisar Shah said that the health department has always failed to resolve the issues faced by the MLOs. He added that they cannot work in this environment as their issues were not being addressed. According to Dr Shah, three of his team members, including two mortuary attendants, have hepatitis C. He explained that his team is always at a risk. "We only demand our rights, such as risk allowance, professional allowance and security." They have demanded for the establishment of a medico-legal directorate and for immediate promotions. With only five MLOs in the hospital, the patients and their attendants faced problems during the strike but the hospital spokesperson assured there will not be any disturbance. He termed the strike as 'blackmailing' and said that all the doctors are being given health allowance and security within the hospital premises.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 30^th, 2015.