What happened :
On Wednesday, the employees of Pakistan Institute of medical sciences (PIMS) protested in Islamabad against the new Medical Teaching Institute (MTI) ordinance. Despite of the ongoing coronavirus emergency all around the country , they kept their services off.
MTI Ordinance:
MTI ordinance was promulgated by President of Pakistan Arif Alvi in November, this ordinance says that the hospital will be run through the board of governance.
The employees did a full day strike ,keeping all departments of the hospital closed ,except the covid-19 ward, having critical patients. Protestors marched from PIMS admin towards Mother and Child Hospital, while chanting and raising slogans , demanding the withdrawal of presidential ordinance. One of the union leader ,Tanveer Noshahi , showed his disappointment in Government of PTI , which promised a lot in the field of education and health , he said
“ The government which used to talk about education and health has been now trying to privatize the hospitals, we have decided to not compromise on our demands and will go at any extent to address this issue” Whereas, According to the Special Assistant to Prime Minister (SAPM) on Health Dr Faisal Sultan it is in human nature to reject every new change.
“Fact is that the MTI will allow speedy decision making and will be beneficial for both the employee and patient, we will try to get employees on board , and they should be aware that their every demand cannot be accepted” he added.
Grand Health Alliance Chairman Dr. Asfandyaar said that the protest will continue until the government withdraws the ordinance. The protest was joined by professors, doctors, nurses, gazette or non-gazette employees. There had been many protests in the past too against the MTI ordinance.