The doctors, paramedics and nurses of different hospitals in federal capital continued their sit-in for the second consecutive day on Wednesday, leaving the patients in the lurch.
The sit-in by the doctors, paramedics and nurses of different hospitals including Polyclinic, Capital Development Authority (CDA) hospital, National Institute of Rehabilitative Medicine (NIRM), National Institute of Health, Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) (NIH) and Federal General Hospital (FGH) was continued in front of National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) building till filling of this report as talks between the Young Doctors' Association and secretary CADD ended inconclusive.
However, secretary Capital Administration and Development Division (CADD) assured the protesting doctors that he will present the summary of doctors regarding their demands of restoration of health risk allowance to the government. The doctors vowed to continue the sit-in until they receive something in written regarding fulfilment of their demand from the government authorities. The protest was led by Dr Sartaj Ali Khan, chairman joint action committee and president Young Doctor Association (YDA).
The Islamabad police on Tuesday baton charged protesting doctors who were trying to enter the Red Zone to stage protest in front of Prime Minister Secretariat against the freezing 'health risk allowance. As a result of baton charge some doctors were injured. The protesters were carrying placards and banners inscribed with slogans against government. They also chanted 'go Nawaz go' slogans. The out-patient departments (OPDs) in major hospitals of the city remained shut, causing difficulties for the patients.
The risk health allowance had been approved by the PPP government in 2012 but was frozen by the incumbent PML-N government. Protesting doctors and paramedical staff said they would continue their strike until acceptance of their demand. Heavy contingent of police equipped with anti riot gear and amour personnel carriers (APC) were deployed on the occasion. On 7 July, the finance division issued a notification under which employees of federal hospitals will stop receiving annual health risk allowance with their basic pay from June 30, 2015.