SWAT: House officers at Swat Medical Complex Teaching Hospital staged a protest in the hospital’s main block, demanding payment of monthly stipends in line with Pakistan Medical and Dental Council regulations.
The protesting doctors said house officers working in Zone-II are entitled to a monthly stipend of Rs75,600 under PMDC rules, but they are currently receiving Rs64,000 per month at Swat Medical Complex.
Doctors carrying placards and banners chanted slogans against the hospital administration and called for immediate implementation of the approved stipend structure. The protest reportedly affected some hospital services, causing inconvenience to patients and attendants.
A number of house officers, including Dr Aziz, Dr Salman, Dr Saad Riaz, Dr Saad Javed, Dr Tanzil and Dr Kamran, took part in the demonstration.
The protesters said the stipend gap had created financial difficulties for young doctors serving at the teaching hospital. They said the issue had been raised several times with the hospital administration, while complaints had also been submitted to PMDC and the Federal Ombudsman.
According to the house officers, the relevant authorities acknowledged their demand, but the hospital administration has not yet implemented the prescribed stipend structure. They alleged that the matter was being delayed despite directives from concerned institutions.
The doctors said 72 house officers, including around 25 female doctors, are affected by the issue. They added that only a few weeks remain before the completion of their house jobs, but the matter has still not been resolved.
The protesters demanded payment of arrears along with implementation of the PMDC-approved stipend. They warned that if their demands were not accepted, they would expand their protest and pursue legal and democratic options.
The house officers urged the authorities to take immediate notice of the issue and ensure compliance with PMDC regulations.
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