By zahiruddin
CHITRAL: All the twenty four medical centres including four hospitals run by Aga Khan Health Service (AKHS) remained closed on Monday for the third consecutive day as the lower staff including parameters, drivers and chiwkidars went on strike against the proposed downsizing of staff in near future.
Hundreds of the staff members staged sit-in outside the regional office of AKHSP throughout the day while their talks with the high ups were inconclusive.
One of the striking staffs told Chitral Times that their length of services ranged from fifteen to twenty five years and they permanent employees but despite that were being sent home without any cogent reason.
He said a although the high ups trued to assure them that they will not be laid off verbally but they were not ready to give in black and blue.
He said that the strike will continue till that are given a promise in written form.
Meanwhile hundred’s of patients are suffering daily due to the strike in the far flung areas where government has no hospital.
When the general manager of AKHSP Dr. Zafar Ahmed was contacted, he said that there was a such no plan to lay off a large number of staff.
He said that the headquarters of the service has been appraised of the demand and written assurances may be issued by Tuesday after which the strike will be culled off.
