New legislation: Differences among doctors’ associations likely to weaken front

HECC, PDA toe opposing lines over K-P MTI Reforms Act.

PESHAWAR:

As soon as the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Medical Teaching Institutions Reforms Act 2015 was promulgated, rumblings of dissent were heard from medical practitioner groups.

With time, the opposition gained momentum as the community declared the legislation would benefit a chosen few and usurp the rights of doctors. They even approached K-P opposition parties against the law.

As the government quietly weathered the storm, cracks instead emerged within the doctors’ associations. While some have no qualms over the benefits of the new act, others contend it will not benefit them. This legislation has seemingly subtracted considerable weight from their charter of demands.

United we stand

The two main power players, Provincial Doctors Association (PDA) and the Health Employees Coordination Committee (HECC), are not on the same page.

According to HECC Chairman Dr Musa Kaleem, the committee had invited members of the PDA to merge the two associations into a joint front called the Health Action Committee against the privatisation of public sector medical facilities. A deal was cut but the PDA backed off at the last minute.

“I had made it clear that we will continue our struggle under the banner of HAC and not PDA or HECC,” Kaleem told The Express Tribune, adding he was not a man of politics and was not interested in seizing the new front’s top position. Kaleem said the HECC was a democratic forum that has been struggling for the rights of health employees for years. “We are not sell-outs like the PDA and that is the reason why they refused to join.”

On July 3, the HECC had voiced reservations over granting autonomy to government hospitals, saying it was a veiled attempt to privatise state institutions. Its members had stated these hospitals only focus on minting money while the incumbent rulers were only following in the footsteps of previous governments. They objected to placing health professionals and staffers of Lady Reading Hospital in the surplus pool.

Counter allegations

PDA Chairman Dr Shah Sawar rubbished the allegations and said the HECC was unaware of the consequences.

He said most of the HECC had their own interests at stake; they did not want to allow the law to take its course and hence challenged it in the court. “You will always find their own people looking for their own benefit,” responded Sawar. He added PDA represented the community in true spirit.

“No law in perfectly drafted and that’s true of the act as well,” he said. “Around 95% of the issues have been resolved with the government. These so-called organisations are being backed by the mafia.”

On July 8, PDA acting president Amir Taj said government had been allocating billions for the sector yet medical assistance was not provided to the common man free of cost. “We have serious reservations over the boards of governors of different hospitals since they are all political appointees,” Taj was quoted as saying.

On the other hand, Young Doctors Association (YDA) President Dr Alamgir said YDA had no differences with any other association.  Alamgir added YDA managed to get a service structure for doctors after a peaceful struggle which did not harm patients.

“We are not against the entire draft, but only oppose a few things mentioned in it,” Alamgir said. “Had I been backed by a mafia, I would not have chosen to go on a hunger strike for seven days.”

Published in The Express Tribune, August 3^rd, 2015.