Pakistan Islamic Medical Association (PIMA) has expressed deep concern over the growing challenges faced by doctors and stated that all forms of harassment of medical staff, non-professional interference in their work, and unjust, baseless, and false campaigns against them must be immediately stopped.In a statement on Thursday, Central President of PIMA Prof.
Atif Hafeez Siddiqui strongly condemned the harassment of doctors at the workplace by government and administrative officials, as well as the misuse of authority. Likewise, unauthorized photography and video recording of doctors during duty not only damages their professional reputation but also violates patient confidentiality principles. He stressed the need for strict legislation and enforcement against such practices.
Prof. Atif Hafeez Siddiqui added that non-professional interference in sensitive and highly skilled medical work, along with pressure and provocation, demoralizes doctors and adversely affects the quality of healthcare services provided to patients.He further stated that in several private hospitals, the exploitation of young doctors through low salaries, unclear duty hours, and an unfair workload has become a serious issue.PIMA fully supports the legitimate demands of young doctors and calls for an immediate increase in the salaries and stipends of doctors and paramedical staff in line with inflation, fair distribution of duty hours, and the urgent implementation of relevant labor regulations.
Furthermore, it is highly alarming that despite a reduction in admission standards this year, 743 seats in medical education remained vacant. This reflects a declining interest among young people in the field of medicine, in which the above-mentioned issues play a significant role. If this trend continues, the public may eventually have to rely on Google and quacks for medical treatment.
