On September 11, a meeting of representatives from 16 health department-related organizations was held at the Provincial Sandeman Hospital under the auspices of the Young Doctors Association Balochistan. In this meeting, the leadership of all organizations collectively formed the Grand Health Alliance against the privatization of the health sector. The participating organizations include:
Young Doctors Association Balochistan, Bolan Medical Teachers Association, Pakistan Medical Association, Health Management Cadre Balochistan, All Pakistan Paramedical Staff Association, All Pakistan Paramedical Staff Federation, All Pakistan Paramedical Staff Association 2016, Young Nurses Association, All Pakistan Clerks Association Health Department, Pakistan Pharmacist Association, Young Nurses Association Ideological, Young Progressive Pharmacists Balochistan, Young Pharmacist Association, Balochistan Physiotherapy Association, EPI Employees Balochistan, and National Program Employees Union Balochistan.
Dr. Bahar Shah, Vice Chairman of the Supreme Council of Young Doctors Association Balochistan, was unanimously elected as the chairman. The Grand Health Alliance Balochistan held a press conference on September 14, 2024, at Bolan Medical Complex Hospital’s internal gate to discuss future actions against hospital privatization, ad hoc and contract policies, and lack of facilities in hospitals. The newly elected chairman, Dr. Bahar Shah, strongly rejected the government’s anti-public policies, particularly the decisions to hand over hospitals to contractors under Public-Private Partnership (PPP) and the unfair recruitment of doctors and other staff on contract basis.
All organizations unanimously declared that these policies would not only destroy the health sector but also deprive the public of basic health facilities. Union leaders warned the Balochistan government that all health organizations are united, and if the government doesn’t withdraw its anti-public decisions, they will launch a severe protest movement. It was decided that the protest movement would continue at all levels until the government withdraws its decisions.
The Revolutionary Communist Party welcomes the formation of the Grand Health Alliance and congratulates all health department employees and workers on this decision. The party pledges to stand at the forefront of any struggle against the incompetent provincial government and corrupt bureaucracy’s anti-worker and anti-public measures through the Grand Health Alliance platform.
