Following unsuccessful negotiations with the Sindh Health Department, the Grand Health Alliance (GHA) has announced that it will continue its boycott of outpatient departments (OPDs) at government hospitals across the province until its demands are formally approved. The GHA protest reached its ninth day on Tuesday, with alliance representatives stating that despite their constant demonstrations, the Sindh Health Department had not contacted the healthcare workers to offer any resolution to their problems. Earlier, Sindh health secretary Dr Kazim Jatoi had met GHA leaders for negotiations. However, the GHA delegation claimed he only offered them an assurance that their demands would be approved instead of a formal agreement. They added that they would not rely upon any surety or ‘false promises’ from the government, announcing that their protest would continue outside the Karachi Press Club. Reiterating its earlier statement, the GHA claimed that the responsibility for any inconvenience caused to the public during the prolonged closure of OPDs rested on the shoulders of the Sindh government. The OPDs of the hospital were already closed due to Covid-19 infection and the strike also shut down the emergency department. Dr. Zaffar Jatoi General Secretary of PMA Khairpur said that doctors and paramedic are on front line to combat viral infection but government is not serious to protect their lives. Dr Jatoi demanded PCR machines in all public sector hospitals as well as fully equipped and trained staff for ICUs and HDUs in the all public sector hospitals. They demanded dedicating at least 20 ventilators in the each public sector hospital for Covid-19 in view of the larger number of seriously sick viral patients. Similarly they demanded PPE Kits and masks or face shields for the all health staff. They also demanded risk allowance and life Insurance of the all health workers and martyred package for the heirs of the doctors who fall in combating against COVID-19. The medical practitioners pledge to continue their strike till the acceptance of their demands.
