By SYED SHAHABDDIN

SWAT: Doctors and paramedical staff in Swat have launched a strong protest against the government’s decision to declare Saidu Teaching Hospital a Medical Teaching Institution (MTI). On Saturday, OPD services were boycotted, causing serious difficulties for patients. Protest leaders have also announced that the next course of action will be unveiled on Monday. The Provincial Doctors Association and the Young Doctors Association have outright rejected the MTI Act, warning that if the decision is imposed forcibly, they may extend the boycott from OPD to emergency services as well.

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Various political parties have also openly opposed the MTI Act and announced resistance. Meanwhile, the traders’ community has taken the position that the Central Hospital must first be fully restored as a District Headquarters (DHQ) Hospital with all facilities; otherwise, the MTI system will not be accepted under any circumstances. It is worth noting that although the government has decided to simultaneously declare Saidu Teaching Hospital as an MTI and Central Hospital as a DHQ Hospital, no formal notification has been issued so far, increasing uncertainty and concern. Civil society representatives argue that the MTI system will create more problems for the public instead of providing relief, and have demanded a review of the decision. So far, no official response has been issued by the government regarding the ongoing protests. Civil society has also announced that from Monday, a protest camp will be set up against this decision.