Prolonged power outages: Doctors, staff stage protest, block KKH in Battagram

BATTAGRAM: The doctors and medical staff at the District Headquarters (DHQ) Hospital Battagram on Wednesday staged protest against prolonged electricity loadshedding, bringing the health service at the health facility to a standstill.

Led by the doctors of DHQ Hospital, the protesters gathered on the KKH and blocked the traffic for several hours.The patients and their families faced severe hardships due to the unexpected work stoppage.

Speaking at the protest, Dr Rahim Khan said that they had been trying their best to convince the authorities concerned about the issue but to no avail.“We have endured these unbearable power outages for too long. How can we provide medical care in these conditions? Our protest will continue until the authorities meet our demands,” he said.

He added critical surgeries were delayed, diagnostic machines sit idle, and the health and safety of patients were at risk due to non-availability of electricity. “Yet, our repeated requests to the authorities to resolve these issues have been ignored,” he added.

Dr. Rahim justified blocking the Karakoram Highway as a means to make their voices heard. “We know this causes inconvenience to the public, but we’ve been left with no other option,” he added. The doctor urged the public to understand their plight and support their cause.

The hospital staff said that their demands were not limited to reliable electricity but also aimed at ensuring proper functioning of critical medical equipment and improved patient care. Mobeen Madakhyal, a patient’s relative who traveled from Torghar to the DHQ Hospital, expressed his frustration.

“We came all the way from Torghar hoping for treatment at the DHQ, but the protest has left us stranded. My relative’s condition is worsening, and we don’t know where else to go. This situation is extremely difficult for us,” he added. Hussain Sherazi, a local resident said: “Electricity shortages have become a constant problem in Battagram. It’s unacceptable that a hospital meant to save lives cannot function properly because of this issue. The government must address the energy crisis, especially in critical facilities like hospitals.”