BAJAUR: Doctors and health workers of the District Headquarters Hospital, Khar, here on Monday observed a strike against the alleged manhandling of a medic by attendants of a patient two days ago.

Most sections, including OPDs, labs and ultrasound section, remained closed, while the emergency department continued to cater for visitors.

The call for strike was given by the Bajaur Doctors Forum and Bajaur Young Doctors Association to protest against the alleged violence against a doctor by attendants of a patient after his death in the emergency ward on Saturday night.

Many of the doctors’ private clinics also remained closed during the strike that started early in the day and continued for several hours.

The strike, which caused significant hurdles to the patients’ access to healthcare, was postponed for three days after a team of district administration and police met leaders of the protesters and assured them that their demands would be met within 48 hours.

Earlier, leaders of the Bajaur Doctors Forum and Bajaur Young Doctors Association told reporters that the strike was meant to press authorities for strict action against those involved in the violence against a doctor.

They said that doctors and all other staff members at the emergency department had tried their best to save the life of the patient who was critically injured in a wall collapse incident.

“The manhandling of a doctor who was striving to save the life of the patient has hurt us as it’s an attack on all healthcare providers who are serving humanity with sincerity and commitment,” a protester said.

He said that strict action against culprits not only promised justice to the doctor but it would also help prevent such incidents in the future.

Speaking to the media after holding successful talks with the district administration officials, leaders of both doctors’ associations said they would resume their strike if their demands, which included the early arrest of those involved in the violence against the doctor, were not met within three days.

Meanwhile, the strike by health workers also prompted a number of people from different areas of the district, who had brought their patients to the hospital for emergency care, to stage a protest over the denial of treatment. They blocked the road outside the hospital for around an hour.

The protesters criticised health workers for boycotting work contrary to their oath and profession to serve humanity, saying the patients of serious health issues need urgent treatment but the doctors are not willing to treat them.

They reopened the road after a team of district administration, police and social and political activists showed up and convinced them to disperse for the people’s relief.

Published in Dawn, September 1st, 2026