The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government while announcing the reopening of outpatient departments (OPD) at all government hospitals across the province from Saturday (May 18), has warned the strict action against protesting doctors, who created hurdles in the dispensation of health services to masses.
“Government has decided to resume OPD service from Saturday and anyone who created hurdles would be dealt with an iron hand,” KP Provincial Minister for Information Shaukat Yousafzai said while addressing a press conference. “A handful of doctors want to sabotage health reforms introduced in the province by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf government,” Yousafzai said.
“The government is ready to hold consultation with doctors, They are free to continue their protest, but hampering of health delivery service and blocking of reforms process cannot be tolerated”, he said. He also clarified that the government should not be considered as weak which can be threatened through holding forceful protests. “We will take stern action when and where it was required”, he reiterated. Yousafzai also warned that government action can also lead to the dismissal of services of protesting doctors.
The whole controversy were started after Provincial Health Minister Dr. Hisham Khan and his guard allegedly tortured an Assistant Professor of Khyber Teaching Hospital. The incident took place during a meeting of the hospital board of governor.
The KP Doctors Council are demanding to register a First Information Report (FIR) against the provincial health minister. As per reports, Dr. Ziauddin and Health Minister exchanged harsh words during a meeting of the Hospital Board and minister started beating the doctor. The doctor was severely beaten, who was admitted to emergency ward of the hospital after sustaining injuries.
