Health service in Mardan district suspended as paramedics go on strike

MARDAN: The health care services suspended in the district as the paramedics and class-IV employees observed strike to press the government to accept their demands. The paramedics and Class-IV employees of various hospitals of Mardan held a meeting at the District Headquarters Hospital. They asked the government to implement the decision of up-grading their pay scales.

Provincial president of Paramedics association Sirajuddin Burki, provincial general secretary Syed Rudad Shah, divisional president Sharafullah Yousafzai, district president Taj Mohammad Khan, Aurangzeb Kashmiri, provincial president All Pakistan Clerk Association (APCA), Luqman Gul chairman negotiations Committee paramedics, president People’s Doctor Forum (PDF) Dr Ishfaq and other leaders of paramedics and class-1V and three associations attended the meeting. They criticised the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan, Chief Minister Pervez Khattak, Health Minister Shahram Khan Tarakai for not honouring the pledges made with paramedics and Class-IV employees.

They claimed that chief minister at a meeting on February 11 had promised to accept their demands within one week. However, the health minister started retaliatory action and transferred several paramedics and their leadership to other districts. The participants of the meeting vowed to continue their efforts. “Chief Minister Pervez Khattak has no say in governance which is controlled from Bani Gala,” one of the participants said.

Later, the protesters started march towards the Mardan Press Club where they dispersed peacefully. They were carrying banners and placards inscribed with slogans against the government.

Except emergency, the paramedics suspended all services at the DHQ, Mardan Medical Complex (MMC), Bacha Khan Medical College, Tehsil Hospitals, Rural Health Centres and Basic Health Units throughout the district.