LAHORE: The country’s need for medical personnel in the midst of a public health crisis does not override their right to occupational health and safety nor does it justify the high-handedness of the police who attempted to quell the strike by force.

This was stated by the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) here on Tuesday and urged the provincial government to heed the legitimate demands of the young doctors on strike in Punjab.

Several grievances put forward by representatives of the Grand Health Alliance are cause for a serious concern. They have claimed that public hospitals have sorely inadequate coronavirus screening facilities for medical personnel, and that the health ministry disburses personal protective equipment (PPE) only to those doctors and nurses who work in the isolation wards. However, all medical personnel remain vulnerable so long as they are working in any part of any hospital.

Published in Dawn, April 22nd, 2020