Syed Ali Shah :
Balochistan Health Minister, Syed Ehsan Shah on Wednesday made it clear that the Young Doctors Association (YDA) has demanded the provision of equipment in government-run hospitals rather than a rise in salaries. Mr. Shah and office-bearers of YDA held a successful negotiations to end ongoing strike in government-run hospitals.
“Breakthrough has been made in negotiations with protesting doctors”, the Health Minister told a hurriedly called press conference on Wednesday night. Dr. Hafeez Mandokhail, the Chairman YDA, Dr. Samad Panezai, Principal Secretary to the CM, Laal Jan Jaffar and others were also present on the occasion.
“We have decided to treat the patients outside wards”, Dr. Mandokhail said. When asked about the ongoing boycott of OPDs, he assured that within the next couple of days progress would be made and the strike would be called off.
Doctors have been protesting for the last four months in Balochistan
Doctors across Balochistan have been protesting in support of their demands for the last four months. They have been boycotting OPDs in all government-run hospitals of the province. Patients remained the worst sufferers of doctors strike.
When asked about the doctors demands, Syed Ehsan Shah said the government has decided to accept demands of the doctors and provision of equipment and machinery was one of the top priorities of the government. Chief Minister Balochistan, Mir Quddus Bizenjo has also directed the health department to address the issues faced by the doctors.
“We will address their grievances and strike would be ended soon”, Mr. Shah stated. He said the government has held successful negotiations with the protesting doctors to sort out issues through negotiations and table talks.
Dr. Mandokhail recalled that doctors spent a month behind the bar to mount pressure on the government to provide basic machinery and equipment in government-run hospitals. “We want justice”, he added.
