KARACHI: The Pakistan Islamic Medical Association (PIMA) Karachi has condemned the violent behavior of a patient's attendants towards a lady doctor at the National Institute of Child Health (NICH). This incident has prompted a four-day strike by doctors at NICH, causing significant distress to hundreds of ill children.
In a statement from PIMA House, President Prof. Abdullah Muttaqi called for immediate action from authorities to ensure the safety and security of medical professionals, emphasizing that they must be able to perform their duties without fear of violence or harassment.
Prof. Muttaqi highlighted the need for the strict enforcement of a 'one patient, one attendant' policy in hospitals to reduce overcrowding, which would enable healthcare professionals to provide care in a safer environment.
PIMA urges the health department to implement concrete measures to tackle the ongoing issue of harassment and violence by attendants. They demand that justice be served and that those responsible for the violence face appropriate consequences.
Prof. Muttaqi expressed concern that the strike and the closure of outpatient departments (OPDs) have led to further suffering for sick children, which he described as unacceptable. He commended the doctors for calling off the strike to ensure patient care, despite inadequate security measures.
The administration has assured doctors that proper security will be provided within a week; however, Prof. Muttaqi warned that if these assurances are not met, the doctors will resume their strike. He reiterated the importance of adequate security for healthcare providers to prevent future incidents and ensure that children in need of treatment are not turned away from OPDs again.