Patients suffer as KP's Khar hospital staff goes on strike

BAIJOUR: A strike by doctors and health workers at the District Headquarters Hospital, Khar, in Bajaur, caused disruptions to healthcare services on Monday. The protest was a reaction to alleged violence against a doctor by attendants of a patient who died in the emergency ward two days ago. Most sections of the hospital, including OPDs, labs, and ultrasound services, were shut down during the strike, while the emergency department continued to operate.

The Bajaur Doctors Forum and Bajaur Young Doctors Association called for a strike to demand strict action against those responsible for the violent incident. Doctors and other staff at the emergency department had been working tirelessly to save the life of a critically injured patient who had collapsed due to a wall collapse. The strike, which lasted for several hours, was called off after a team of district administration and police assured the protesters that their demands would be met within 48 hours.

However, the doctors threatened to resume the strike if their demands were not met within three days, including the early arrest of the culprits involved in the violence against the doctor. The strike also led to protests from the public, who were unable to receive timely medical attention at the hospital.