House officers at Abbasi Shaheed Hospital in Karachi intensified their protest on Saturday, demanding unpaid stipends and improved security measures. The doctors warned that they would suspend outpatient department (OPD) services if the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) failed to address their grievances.
Protest Details and Demands
Carrying placards and banners, the protesting doctors raised slogans supporting their demands. They emphasized that they had continued providing medical services throughout the six-day protest to ensure patients did not suffer. The house officers stated they had been demonstrating for six days over what they described as legitimate demands, including full payment of stipends and enhanced security.
Security Concerns
The doctors highlighted that following accidents or fatalities, large numbers of attendants often enter the hospital, pressuring doctors and attempting to force treatment. They noted that incidents of harassment and misconduct against doctors occur regularly, yet adequate security arrangements have not been provided. According to the protesters, Abbasi Shaheed Hospital lacks proper security protocols, leaving medical staff vulnerable.
Unpaid Stipends and Medicine Shortage
The house officers questioned why Abbasi Shaheed Hospital was the only public hospital where house officers were not receiving full stipends, unlike their counterparts at other institutions. They reported that salaries had not been paid for the past three months, and the agreed monthly stipend of Rs45,000 also remained unpaid. Additionally, the doctors highlighted a severe shortage of medicines at the hospital, stating that the lack of essential drugs was creating difficulties in providing treatment and causing hardship for patients.
Escalation Warning
Warning of an escalation, the doctors said they would shut down OPD services if their demands were not accepted immediately. They also threatened to expand the scope of their protest to other hospital services if the KMC did not intervene. The house officers urged the authorities to address their issues promptly to avoid disruption of medical care.
