MUZAFFARABAD: Doctors in Azad Jammu and Kashmir have warned of a region-wide protest from January 26 if long-pending demands related to promotions, benefits and health sector reforms are not addressed by the government. The warning came from the United Doctors Forum (UDF), an umbrella body of the Pakistan Medical Association and Young Doctors Association in AJK.
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At a press conference on Friday, UDF Chairman Dr Wajid Khan and General Secretary Dr Arshad Raja said years of bureaucratic delays had paralysed the healthcare system and demoralised medical professionals. They said doctors had exhausted all legal and democratic avenues for resolution but instead of being settled, issues were continuously deferred.
The UDF leaders claimed that the promotion mechanism in the health department had collapsed, with cases pending since 2019 and several doctors retiring without due promotions. They also criticised the absence of a permanent director general of health, arguing that the department could not function effectively under an additional-charge arrangement.
Financial grievances were also highlighted, including the non-payment of allowances and benefits since June 2022 despite a Supreme Court ruling. The leaders described a 2025 notification as contrary to the verdict and an “open injustice” to medical staff.
The doctors pointed to acute shortages of equipment and facilities in government hospitals, noting that machines installed in 2009 were still in use. They termed the presence of only one MRI machine in the entire region as “alarming”. Concerns were also raised over infrastructure and governance issues in medical colleges, including slow progress at Mirpur Medical College.
The forum criticised security lapses affecting women doctors and staff, along with one-sided inquiries and police action in hospital incidents. The UDF demanded immediate reforms, payments to contract doctors, regular recruitments, and representation in health card policymaking.
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Under the protest plan, OPDs will shut for two hours daily from January 26, while emergencies remain open. A complete shutdown could follow if no action is taken by February 2, with UDF claiming participation from over 1,200 doctors.