PESHAWAR: The Young Doctors Association (YDA) at Hayatabad Medical Complex (HMC) on Tuesday staged a protest and “resistance walk” to press the provincial government to fulfill its promise of increasing doctors’ salaries.
Addressing the protesters, YDA HMC president Dr Adnan Khan said doctors had repeatedly reminded the government of its commitment to revise their salaries, but no practical steps had been taken so far.
“The government had promised a pay raise for doctors, but that promise remains unfulfilled. Doctors are already working under immense pressure, facing staff shortages, increasing workloads and rising inflation. The least the government can do is honour the commitments it made,” he added.
However, Dr Adnan warned that the association would be left with no option but to intensify its protest campaign if the government failed to address its demands.“Today’s protest is a warning. We are giving the government, hospital administration and the public advance notice. If our legitimate demands continue to be ignored, YDA will launch a province-wide movement from next week. In that phase, doctors may suspend services across hospitals where the association is represented,” he added. Speaking to The News, Dr Adnan said the association had also been awaiting action on alleged irregularities at HMC that were highlighted during a press conference at the Peshawar Press Club nearly two months ago.
He claimed that the YDA had submitted documentary evidence regarding alleged merit violations and other irregularities to the relevant authorities, but no progress had been made despite assurances of an inquiry.
“We presented evidence and cooperated with the authorities, but no visible action has been taken so far. We want a transparent inquiry and accountability wherever wrongdoing is found,” he said.
Dr Adnan warned that if the government’s commitments regarding doctors’ salaries and the inquiry into the allegations were not fulfilled, the association could expand its protest campaign across public hospitals in the province.
The protesting doctors urged the government to address their concerns and honour its commitments before the situation escalates further.
