Doctors' community of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa went on complete strike and boycott from attending their duties against the killing of senior doctor and known cardiologist, Said Jamal Hussain, a renowned cardiologist and demanded provision of adequate security to doctors' in the province.
The strike was observed at all four tertiary care hospitals of the province along with periphery medical units, here on Monday, on the first day of three-day protest and mourning against the killing of Dr Jamal. The health system paralysed in the wake of doctors' strike, especially patients from remote areas were the worst affected. Though doctors had provided emergency cover in ODP, CCU and ICU, but the worst kind of situation was witnessed in four major teaching hospitals.
The medical fraternity also held emergency meeting at Khyber Medical College, University of Peshawar and carried out a protest rally in the campus. Protest demonstrations was also held in Khyber Teaching Hospital, Lady Reading Hospital, and Hayatabad Medical Complex, where the protesters were holding placards and banners condemning killing of Dr Said and provision of adequate security to doctors in the province. Provincial Doctors' Association announced a three-day strike and mourning after killing of Dr Jamal Hussain, who was lifted by captor on October 31, 2011 from his residence situated in Phase-II Hayatabad Peshawar, while on his way to clinic.
Addressing the protest, Dr Shah Sawar Khan, president Provincial Doctors Association, has strongly condemned the killing of senior cardiologist, Dr Said Jamal Hussain and said that the growing incident of kidnapping of doctors' for ransom is a greater failure on part of the government. He added that they have always informed government about ample security arrangement, but it didn't take their demand seriously, because of which such unpleasant incident occurring the in province.
He informed that PDA has called an emergency meeting for judicial inquiry into the murder of Dr Said Jamal, Dr Talal, and also into the cases of the all other abducted doctors in the province. Dr Shah Sawar said they asked several times to ensure security for doctors' community, but it was least bothered to pay attention toward their demand. He said the inquiries had carried out after release of kidnapped doctors, not much satisfactory. It was organised crime and security agencies should hunt them, he demanded.
Peoples' Doctors forum PDF, Young Doctors' Association (YDA) and Malagari Doctoran also condemned the killing of Dr Said Jamal. When contacted, president Young Doctors Association, Dr Gulab Noor Afridi denounced the killing of Dr Jamal and said the government is not taking seriously our demand for security of doctors in the province.