Medical Staff of various hospitals across valley held a symbolic protest against the use of Pellet Guns and the consistent harassment and assault on medical staff while performing their duties. Doctors,Paramedics,Drivers and Supportive Staff of Health Department took part in this as a mark of solidarity with the affected victims.The call for protest was given by president Doctors Association Kashmir (DAK) Dr G M Mir.Medical Staff across peripheral hospitals had put black bands while on job to show their resentment against the day to day ‘inhuman and barbaric’ acts prevailing currently."DAK in solidarity with the recent ambulance driver namely Ghulam Muhammad ,who was shot at Safakadal recently, raised voice through this symbolic protest, as such acts are savage and deplorable.It was matter of inches between his life and death and acts like these need to be condemned and addressed upon and that is why DAK had decided to lodge a solidarity protest valley wide today " said Dr G M Mir.Moreover the agenda of this symbolic protest was to highlight the issues of safety and security which day by day is getting worrisome and medical staff is deeply agonized and traumatized.Dr Mir Mushtaq Spokesperson DAK while speaking on the occasion at District Hospital Pulwama said it is getting difficult to work under such conditions. He applauded the bravery of Ambulance Driver who even after being shot drove ambulance to SMHS Hospital. He stressed authorities to intervene strictly in these matters as there is a steep escalation in harrasing, beating and humiliating medical staff while going to duties.He
demanded strict action to be taken against all those culprits who are acting as a threat in hampering health care services. He also apprised that DAK under its donation programme has collected a respectful amount which is being used judiciously for the treatment of needy patients.On the occasion Showkat Andrabi Chairman J&K Pharmacist Association condemned the attack and said that Paramedical Staff is the back bone of health department. Such attacks have discouraged and demoralized us to the highest ebb. He also stressed for immediate steps to smoothen the functioning of health care services.Meanwhile President Family Welfare Employees Association J&K, Mukhtyar Ahmad has strongly condemned the assaults on medical staff especially ambulance drivers which in no way can be justified and authorities should take stringent measures to curb such unruly events. Ambulance Drivers act as a bridge between the patient and hospitals and in no way their commendable efforts be halted.Bashir Ahmad President Drivers Association Health Department Kashmir while speaking to Drivers at Old Secretariat condemned the routine harassment of Drivers while on duties. Shooting a driver is the worst which we witnessed during the current crisis and it’s the duty of authorities to intervene in the matter. He said that Drivers are risking their lives to save the lives of patients and officials should act strictly in making ambulance traffic hassle free so that drivers won't fear for their lives and needy patients are ferried to hospitals safely. (CNS)