Up in arms: PDA threatens to protest

ABBOTABAD:

The Provincial Doctors Association has threatened to take to the streets if the government does not withdraw its decision to discontinue free medical facilities at public sector hospitals. According to a press release issued on Tuesday, PDA Spokesperson Dr Salim Yousufzai said the government initiated the facility to help patients who are not able to afford treatment and medicine.

“Over the past few weeks, notices had been put up at hospitals on how medicines and services would not be provided free of cost after August 10,” read the statement. Yousufzai criticised the decision, saying district headquarters hospitals, rural health centres and basic health units are the only hope for the underprivileged sections of society whereas the privileged class, politicos and bureaucrats go abroad for treatment. “The government facilities are the only refuge of the masses,” the notification quoted him as saying. He said PDA will not only agitate against the move but will also consider legal options if the directive is not withdrawn.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 19^th, 2015.