Two newborn babies among three die as doctors’ strike enters fourth day in Sindh

KARACHI (92 News) – Three people, including two infants, were killed for lack of treatment as doctors’ strike entered fourth day across the province on Saturday. In Dadu, a woman died due to lack of treatment. The death toll for lack of treatment has increased to nine during four days. The protesting doctors also observed a complete boycott of the operation theatres. Young Doctors Association Sindh vice-president Dr Waris said that they are on the strike under compulsion and it would continue till fulfillment of their demands. Doctors also observed a strike in Ruth Pfau Hospital. The protesters demanded that their salaries should be increased along with the health and risk allowances. The protesters warned that they would close the wards along with the OPDs if their demands were not met. On the other hand, patients attacked the protesting doctors and uprooted their protest camp. They also broke the chairs and benches. Patients are forced to get costly private treatment due to the ongoing strike in Karachi, Hyderabad, Larkana and Nawabshah. Meanwhile, the Sindh government is mulling different options, including show-cause notices, cases and suspension of jobs, to deal with the protesting doctors. The Sindh Health Department has recommended the chief minister action against the doctors. On the other hand, the DG Health Sindh said that it could not happen that salaries will be increased due to the strike. “There is a method to deal with a situation. Doctors have not yet contacted them,” he said. Meanwhile, the poor patients are facing problems due to unavailability of doctors. They said that they had come from far-flung areas and had to return to their homes empty handed. They appealed to doctors to adopt a method for their rights so that humanity should not suffer.