Doctors at Karachi’s Abbasi Shaheed Hospital (ASH) have initiated a protest against significant pay disparities and prolonged delays in salary disbursements. House officers and postgraduate trainees are voicing concerns over receiving lower compensation compared to their counterparts at other public hospitals, coupled with months-long delays in payments.
Key Issues Highlighted by the Protest
Salary Disparities: House officers at ASH reportedly earn approximately Rs45,000 per month, whereas their peers at institutions like Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC) and the National Institute of Child Health (NICH) receive around Rs65,000. Postgraduate trainees at ASH earn Rs75,000, in contrast to over Rs100,000 at other facilities .
Delayed Payments: Many doctors have not received their salaries for extended periods, with some house officers waiting up to ten months for payment .
Impact on Hospital Services
The protest has led to the closure of the hospital’s Outpatient Department (OPD) and emergency services, disrupting care for hundreds of patients. The hospital administration has warned that continued boycotts could result in the replacement of protesting doctors .
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Administrative Response
Dr. Faisal Samdani, the hospital’s Medical Superintendent, has acknowledged the delays, attributing them to routine procedural issues. He assured that salaries would be disbursed promptly .
The ongoing protest underscores the need for equitable compensation and timely salary disbursements to ensure uninterrupted healthcare services.
