ISLAMABAD – November 24 (ONLINE) Patients on Thursday suffered heavily as doctors, nurses and paramedical staff at Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) shut down out-patient departments (OPDs) to protest in favor of their demands.
Employees of PIMS are protesting against the Medical Teaching Institutions (MTI) act, as they announced “indefinite strike” at OPDs until and unless the President Dr Arif Alvi repeals the MTI act.
Federal Health Alliance (FHA) President, Dr Haider Abbasi told Online that MTI act is a totally failed phenomenon as MRI machine haven’t been installed at PIMS since last two years due to the negligence of MTI body and their employees.
He said their only demand from the present government was to immediately stop the working of MTI body. “We demand the health bodies from both houses of parliament to summon the MTI act employees and hold them accountable,” he said.
It is worth mentioning that in November 2020, Dr Arif had promulgated the MTI ordinance suggesting that the hospital will be run through a board of governors (BoG).
However, patients suffered a lot due to strike of PIMS employees in the favor of their demands, mostly patients travelled from remote areas to reach PIMS for the better healthcare services and better treatment.
“My aunt’s operation was due on November 27. She is suffering highly from cardiac disease and her life is at stake. Amidst this strike, they have postponed her operation,” Ahtsham Yousaf, a patient’s attendee told this correspondent.
“We have come a long way. We have spent resources and still we have to wait for more time. What if something unwanted happens to her?” he asked desperately.
When asked about the issue, PML-N lawmaker Dr. Zahra Wadood said we already knew that the President wouldn’t sign the bill. She hoped that government will get the bill passed from next joint session of the Parliament.
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