Delay in release of risk allowance sparks protests in FG hospitals

Islamabad : Responding to the call of the Grand Health Alliance, health workers of all federal government hospitals observed complete strike on Monday, boycotting their respective Out-Patient Departments to protest against the inordinate delay in release of the special health allowance announced by the government almost a year ago when the Covid-19 pandemic infiltrated into Pakistan.

Condemning the “inappropriate and wilful attitude” of the Secretary and Joint Secretary of the Ministry of National Health Services, who are now seen as the major stumbling blocks impeding implementation of the government’s directive, the protesting health workers strongly demanded the removal of both officials.

“We not only risked our own lives but also the lives of our near and dear ones. Many of our colleagues sacrificed, fighting the pandemic,” the protestors recalled. Doctors, nurses, and paramedics of the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), the National Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine (NIRM), Polyclinic, CDA Hospital, and the National Institute of Health (NIH) participated in the strike.

There is no denying the role of health workers as frontline fighters against the pandemic, and now with the 4th wave looming large, it is absolutely logical for them to expect the government to deliver on its commitment.

The invaluable services of health workers have been applauded worldwide. In Pakistan too, both the President and the Prime Minister have been eulogizing their services and had announced to reward them through a special allowance equivalent to one basic salary. However, despite release of funds for the said purpose, the allowance has not been paid thus far due to what the protestors terms as “notorious delaying tactics of the bureaucracy.”

Quoting reliable sources, GHA’s Chairman Dr. Asfandyar Khan alleged that the special allowance is not being released because the Secretary and Joint Secretary of Health want the same allowance to be paid to employees of the Ministry of Health as well, and since tey have failed in the said attempt, they are now hell-bent on depriving hospital workers from the benefit also.

“With the 4th menacing wave of COVID-19 now threatening Pakistan, our hospitals will once again be packed to capacity and will be burdened by rising patient load. Health workers will obviously be expected to play their designated role in saving precious lives. While we are willing to work round the clock, we will not succumb to the government’s delaying tactics, come what may,” Dr. Asfandyar stated.

The protestors demanded that risk allowance equivalent to 12 months of basic salary be paid to employees of all hospitals—starting from grade 1 up to grade 22; that the special allowance be released with their monthly salaries till such time that Covid-19 becomes history; and that the said allowance also be paid to all House Officers, Post-Graduate Doctors, and student nurses, who similarly risk their lives while offering medical care.

All hospitals unanimously rejected the MTI system and urged the Senate Chairman to prevent passage of the MTI Bill.