Private hospitals shut across Gujranwala Division, patients left in distress

Private hospitals, clinics and other healthcare facilities across Gujranwala division remained completely closed on Monday for the second

Gujranwala: Private hospitals, clinics and other healthcare facilities across Gujranwala division remained completely closed on Monday for the second consecutive day following a nationwide strike call by the Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) Central, leaving patients and their families struggling to access medical treatment.

The two-day shutdown, observed on November 1 and 2, was supported by the Private Hospitals Association (PHA) Gujranwala in response to what the medical community described as discriminatory and unfair policies adopted by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) towards doctors and healthcare providers.

The closure caused considerable inconvenience to patients who visited private medical facilities in search of treatment but found their doors shut. People arriving from surrounding towns and villages were particularly affected, while patients requiring consultations and routine medical care had to face uncertainty over alternative arrangements.

Dr Mian Zahid Mahmood, president of the Private Hospitals Association Gujranwala, had announced the complete closure of private hospitals and clinics across all district in support of the PMA Central’s decision.

According to the association, the protest was aimed at opposing the FBR’s policies, the implementation of the Point of Sale (POS) system, alleged unjustified registration of FIRs against doctors and what it termed violations of the legitimate professional rights of healthcare practitioners.

The PMA Central executive body’s decision to observe a countrywide strike on November 1 and 2 was taken during its recent meeting, with the association urging doctors and healthcare providers to demonstrate unity against the policies affecting the medical sector.

The PHA Gujranwala also appealed to owners and members of private hospitals, clinics and healthcare institutions across the district to ensure complete participation in the strike and follow the call of PMA Central and PMA Gujranwala.

However, the complete suspension of private healthcare services raised concerns over the difficulties faced by ordinary patients, who had little choice but to seek treatment elsewhere during the two-day protest.

While doctors have the right to raise concerns over taxation policies and professional issues, the absence of adequate alternative arrangements during the shutdown left patients bearing the immediate consequences of the dispute between the medical community and the authorities.