Sindh doctors close OPDs over Covid risk allowance stoppage

Sindh doctors on Tuesday closed government hospitals’ Outpatient Department (OPDs) treatment across the province as a token of protest against the discontinuation of coronavirus (Covid-19) risk allowance allocated for the medical staff, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

The strike in Sindh hospitals severely affected the patients who looked for the messiahs for treatment but to no avail as the doctors were away from their duties by closing the OPDs across the province.

One such patient talking to 24NewsHD TV channel said, “I spent Rs700 transport fare to reach Jinnah Hospital, Karachi for my treatment but doctors are on strike and now I have to go back spending the same amount of money. I am a poor person.”

The Sindh government issued the discontinuation notification on Friday. According to the notification, the order will be effective from October 1.

“Considering the weakening severity of Covid-19 pandemic in the province, the risk allowance (being) granted to the personnel of health department vide finance department’s order dated June 6, 2020, and dated July 9, 2020, is hereby discontinued effective from October 1, 2020,” the notification reads.

It is pertinent to note that the Sindh government notified the Covid-19 health risk allowance on doctors bodies demand after a large number of health professionals contracted the infection. Sindh Health Department was giving Rs17,000 to Rs35,000 risk allowance to health professionals.

https://www.facebook.com/1545150422365407/videos/381683379547645

Sindh Doctors’ Alliance (SDA) reacting to the announcement by the Sindh government expressed their concerns.