GHA continues protest against privatisation plan

LAHORE:The Grand Health Alliance (GHA) continued its protest demonstration and sit-in in front of Punjab Assembly on second day Tuesday against outsourcing of primary and secondary public health facilities as well as proposed privatisation of Jinnah Hospital Lahore.

The health professionals, including young doctors, nurses, Lady Health Workers and paramedical staff participated and raised slogans against government's decision of privatising Basic Health Units and Rural Health Centres. They say that it would not only deprive them of government employment but also jeopardise public healthcare to the poor patients. They said no government or health department official arrived to hold negotiations with the protesting medics, adding YDA Punjab President Dr Shoaib Niazi was suspended and was directed to report back to the department. The GHA leadership claimed that they will be undeterred by these intimidating tactics and will continue their sit-in until government withdraw its decision to privatise public health facilities.