KPHAT: Doctors in Kohat on Saturday called off their week-long strike following successful negotiations with a high-level government delegation after the arrest of accused in the murder case of Dr Mehwish Hussain.
The strike had been ongoing for the past week after the killing of Dr Mehwish Hussain, prompting the doctors’ community to suspend services in protest.
The decision to end the strike came after Kohat Police arrested the accused and assured progress in the investigation.
A senior government delegation led by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Health Minister Khaliqur Rahman visited District Headquarters (DHQ) Hospital, Kohat, to hold talks with the medical community.
The delegation included Special Assistant to the Chief Minister on Information Shafiullah Jan, Minister for Law Aftab Alam, Member Provincial Assembly Daud Afridi, Commissioner Kohat Division Syed Muatasim Billah Shah, Deputy Commissioner Kohat Muhammad Nawaz Wazir, Medical Superintendent of DHQ Hospital and other senior officials.
During the visit, the delegation met representatives of the Young Doctors Association, other doctors, paramedical staff, and hospital administration. Detailed discussions were held regarding the concerns and security issues arising from the tragic killing of the lady doctor.
On the occasion, the government announced a martyrs’ package for Dr Mehwish Hussain and assured her family of full support and justice. The delegation also announced immediate and practical steps to strengthen hospital security in order to prevent such incidents in the future and ensure a safe working environment for medical staff.
Following the successful negotiations, doctors and hospital staff restored all services and medical care for patients has resumed as normal.
The health minister reiterated the government’s commitment to implementing the chief minister’s announcement of a modern 1,000-bed hospital for Kohat at the earliest.
He also announced that CT scan and MRI machines would soon be installed at DHQ Hospital.
The minister emphasized that improving
the healthcare sector, ensuring the protection of medical staff, and providing quality medical facilities to the public remain among the government’s top priorities.
