Patients suffer as doctors continue strike in Timergara DHQ

TIMERGARA: The patients and their attendants faced severe hardships at the district headquarters (DHQ) Timergara as doctors and employees continued strike on the second consecutive day on Sunday against the alleged harassment by a worker of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP).

The doctors also closed down their private clinics for the second day and only emergency cover was provided to the patients at the DHQ.

Sher Zada, a resident of Panakot in Upper Dir, told The News that his six months old baby girl was suffering from severe chest infection. “Now the doctors are on strike and I will have to return home without having her check-up,” he lamented.

“I have come from Khar in Bajaur Agency to get my 70-year old mother examined, who is suffering from a severe backache but we are shocked to hear about doctors strike at the DHQ Timergara,” said Shah Jehan, an attendant.

Talking to reporters, president, Doctors Association, Lower Dir, Dr Nadir Khan, said that the police were yet to register the first information report (FIR) against district councillor Alamzeb advocate who had allegedly resorted to incite public against doctors after death of a boy in the hospital’s emergency unit two days back. “The strike will continue until an FIR is registered against the political worker,” Nadir Khan said.

It merits a mention here that one Musa Khan, a resident of Bajaur Agency, had alleged that his 8-month-old son died of doctors’ negligence at the DHQ Timergara.

Later, district councillor and PPP local leader Alamzeb advocate reached the spot and blocked Dir-Timergara road in protest.

Talking to this correspondent, Medical Superintendent (MS) DHQ Timergara, Dr Anwar Zada, rejected the allegations, saying the baby boy was provided in time treatment but he could not survive.

Meanwhile, social and political circles of the district have demanded the doctors to call off the strike forthwith in the larger interest of the patients.