The protest of doctors at Abbasi Shaheed Hospital entered its eighth consecutive day on Wednesday, leaving thousands of patients without treatment and dozens of scheduled operations postponed.
According to hospital sources, patients arriving from various parts of the city have been returning home without medical attention, while many also lost both time and money due to the disruption. Several patients were reported to be in critical condition as services remained suspended.
Protesting doctors said they have not received stipends for the past five months. While some received partial payments, others have been left without any disbursement. “We will not resume work until we are paid our stipends in full,” the doctors maintained.
Currently, 220 house officers are working at the hospital, each entitled to a stipend of Rs. 45,000, and 130 postgraduate doctors, each eligible for Rs. 75,000. “The stoves in our houses have gone cold, but the government still shows no concern,” one protesting doctor said.
The doctors stressed that their protest is peaceful, yet they are being labeled as “blackmailers.” They urged the authorities to resolve the stipend issue immediately to prevent further harm to patients.