Child dies as doctors end strike in Sindh after successful talks

KARACHI (92 News) – The Young Doctors Association (YDA) ended their strike after the Minister for Health Dr Azra Fazal Pechuho assured to equalize their salaries at par with doctors in other provinces. Meanwhile, a four-year-old died due to the strike of doctors in Dadu. He was brought to Civil Hospital four days ago. Hundreds of patients from far-flung areas were deprived of healthcare due to the strike that entered third day on Wednesday. Deaths were reported due to closure of OPDs across the province. Four deaths were reported due to the strike of doctors on Tuesday. The deaths could have been averted had the Sindh government accepted the demands of the striking doctors. On Wednesday, OPDs in various government hospitals of Karachi, including Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC), Civil Hospital and Lyari General Hospital, remained closed due to the ongoing strike. Several OPDs in Hyderabad, Jamshoro, Tando Jam and other districts of the province also remained shut. The protesting doctors were demanding an increase in their salaries, health, and other allowances and insurance. Earlier, the doctors said that the provincial government had given a week’s time to resolve their issues but the authorities paid no heed. They had threatened to expand their protest by closing emergency departments and the hospital wards.