Doctors announce pen-down strike

The Neutral Doctors Forum, a joint body of house officers and trainee medical officers in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, has announced a pen-down strike in all government hospitals starting today (Thursday), demanding a 30 per cent increase in doctors' salaries. According to the forum, the second phase of the protest that has already entered its 17th day will see only emergency services provided, while a central protest demonstration will also be held at Lady Reading Hospital, Peshawar. Forum Chairman Dr Adnan Afridi made the announcement at a press conference at the Peshawar Press Club on Wednesday, accompanied by other office-bearers. He said nearly 6,000 doctors across the province have been on strike for the past 17 days. During this period, emergency and OPD services have been regularly covered and efforts made to ensure patients' medical facilities are not disrupted. Dr Afridi claimed that despite the ongoing protest, neither the provincial government nor the Health Department has made any formal contact regarding the doctors' demands. When the forum approached the Health Department, the response was that doctors are not needed, a statement that has heightened anxiety among the medical community, he said with concern.