SWABI: The patients suffered as teachers boycotted classes at the Gajju Khan Medical College Swabi and health services at the adjoining Bacha Khan Medical Complex (BKMC), Shahmansoor, in protest against the failure of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government to meet their demands.

The teachers said the government had failed to provide them health professional allowance and get the college affiliated with the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council.

Only emergency services were available at the BKMC.

The call of boycott was given by Gajju Medical College Teachers Association. Officer-bearers of the association declared that their boycott would continue till the meeting of their demands.

The patients admitted in different wards of the hospital suffered because the doctors did not visit them. Members of the association threatened to extend their protest to the district headquarters hospital, and civil hospitals in Topi, Kalu Khan and Chota Lahor if their demands were not met.

A number of patients visited the OPD of BKMC but they returned without getting any medical care due to the strike.

Meanwhile, the students of the medical college also staged a protest demonstration on the premises of the college. The enraged students wanted to block the Swabi-Jehangira road but the teachers did not allow them.

The students said their precious time was being wasted due to the strike of teachers, and asked the government to meet their demands so the strike was ended.

Published in Dawn, December 21st, 2017