KARACHI: Miseries of poor patients were compounded when healthcare providers extended their protest and shut down all services here on Monday except for that of emergency at public sector hospitals.

Earlier, young doctors, nurses and paramedics representing the Grand Health Alliance (GHA) were holding a two-hour token strike on a daily basis. They have been protesting for the resumption of the Covid-19 risk allowance which was discontinued by the government. The protest had reached a deadlock between the alliance and Sindh government.

Sources said the scheduled operations and diagnostic procedures scheduled for Monday had to be postponed while outpatient departments were completely closed down, forcing patients to return home without treatment. It’s the third week of the protest.

Speaking to Dawn, patients described the stand-off between the medical staff and government as “cruel” and regrettable.

Govt unmoved as deadlock over allowance persists; agitation hits poor patients in urgent need of surgical, diagnostic care

“What’s our fault? I have been bringing my paralysed daughter to the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC) for over a week now, but couldn’t get treatment,” complained Sobia, a polio worker and mother of four.

The eldest 12-year-old daughter, she said, had been diagnosed with a brain tumor and needed urgent treatment.

“The illness showed up three months ago with persistent fever and vomiting. Later, Alisha’s eyesight suddenly dropped followed by a paralysis on the left side,” Sobia explained, adding that her jobless husband was recovering from gunshot injuries.

“He was shot thrice when he refused to hand over his cellphone. He also lost his job later as he couldn’t return to work due to injuries. Now, I am running from pillar to post for my daughter.”

Sobia’s case is not in isolation. Her ordeal was echoed by so many patients visiting the JPMC and other hospitals.

Govt suspends two in Sukkur, Jacobabad

Amid the boycott and protests at public sector hospitals across the province, what is perhaps more unfortunate was government silence. In fact, the sources said, the impasse between the parties was getting bitter.

On Monday, the government relieved the medical officer of the Ghulam Muhammad Mahar Medical College Hospital, Sukkur, “as he refused to perform duty and left the city without headquarters’ permission” and suspended a lady health supervisor in Jacobabad.

The second notification came in “pursuance” of a court order in a case regarding “unlawful strike/refusal to provide care at public sector health facilities”.

Meanwhile, the GHA has announced to hold a sit-in outside the Karachi Press Club on Tuesday.

Last month, the health department withdrew the Covid-19 risk allowance on grounds that the pandemic no longer posed a threat to the population.

The allowance was announced over two years ago when the pandemic had struck the country. An amount of Rs17,000 was given to the healthcare providers from grade one to 16 whereas Rs35,000 to those above grade 16. It was discontinued in 2020 as well, but later was resumed following protests.

Health Minister Dr Azra Fazal Pechuho had categorically rejected the protesters’ demand, describing it as ‘unjustified’. In conversation with the media, she had warned that the health department might hire new staff if the protesters did not resume their work.

Later, officials held talks with the GHA and the protest was briefly suspended, only to be resumed after a week as the matter could not be sorted out.

Published in Dawn, November 8th, 2022