Azma Bokhari accuses KP government of neglecting healthcare crisis

LAHORE: Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari has criticised the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government, alleging that medical staff across the province are protesting and observing strikes while Chief Minister Sohail Afridi and his cabinet are touring Lahore.

In a statement issued from Lahore, Bokhari said the strike by young doctors in Dera Ismail Khan was continuing in support of their demands. She said the ongoing protest had created difficulties for patients and their families seeking treatment at public hospitals.

The Punjab information minister also said the Medical Stores Association in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was observing a strike. She claimed that patients and their attendants were being forced to face difficulties at government hospitals amid the disruption of medical services.

Bokhari further said that employees of Gomal University were also continuing their protest over their demands.

She criticised the KP government for what she described as a lack of attention to administrative and public-service issues. Bokhari alleged that the province had effectively been left without proper governance for the past two days while its leadership was engaged in activities in Lahore.

“Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has practically been left without proper administration for the past two days,” she said.