CHARSADDA: In response to a province-wide call by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Doctors Council, medical professionals across all government hospitals in Charsadda observed a complete strike, bringing outpatient department (OPD) services to a standstill.
The protest aimed to draw attention to longstanding issues plaguing the healthcare system, and saw active engagement between doctors and citizens over the need for transparency, structural reform, and better healthcare delivery.
Addressing the protest, senior council member Dr. Kashif Ali Khan expressed deep concern over the tragic incidents recently witnessed in Swat. He warned that Charsadda, due to its location near the river, faces similar risks. He urged authorities to implement preventive safety measures and called for the immediate establishment of a fully equipped trauma center in the district, terming it essential for public health and emergency preparedness.
Dr. Kashif also voiced serious reservations over a number of pressing concerns faced by healthcare professionals. He criticized the imposition of what he described as unjust taxes on doctors, and denounced the arbitrary functioning of the Health Care Commission. He further highlighted corruption in the health card scheme, widespread mismanagement in the health department, and nepotism within the Medical Teaching Institutions (MTI) system.
At the conclusion of the protest, Dr. Kashif thanked both the medical community and members of the public for their support and solidarity. He warned that if the council’s demands are not addressed, the protest movement could intensify in the coming days, potentially expanding across the province.
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