LAHORE - The Punjab Health Department is likely to take action against miscreants leading the siege of Directorate General Health Services.
The department is likely to start proceedings in a couple of days after identifying active protesters through ‘high definition CCTV footage’.
As per the insiders, employees on probation will be sacked, regular will be suspended while those on contract will be issued notices for termination of service.
Vaccinators, lady health workers and employees of Dengue Control Programme are continuing siege of DGHS for the last couple of days, not allowing any officer to enter or leave the office.
The protest also caused cancellation of scheduled meetings at the DGHS. The protesters also threatened officers of dire consequences including damaging vehicles and other infrastructure at the DGHS.
“High ups have gone through CCTV footage. Most active and violent protesters have been identified. They have written threat letters to officers. Action can be taken on Wednesday. Police will also be called to stop their (vaccinators) protest”, said an official who wanted not to be quoted.
Protest led to postponement of immunization campaign in Lahore, depriving thousands of kids from polio vaccine.
Three day campaign, however, continued elsewhere in the province and will conclude today (Wednesday).
Paramedics and lady health workers also joined hands with vaccinators for acceptance of demands including implementation of service structure, promotion in next grade, regularization of adhoc employees and health professional allowance. Allied health staff locked vaccination stores, RHCs, BHUs and vaccination centres, causing huge difficulties to visiting patients.
Paramedics, vaccinators and lady health workers besieged DGHS, causing worst traffic mess in the heart of the city at peak hours.
The protesters chanted slogans against the government and in favour of their demands.
Malik Munir, Suleman Khan, Mushtaq Ahmed, Nasir Gujjar and other leaders said that employees would remain on strike till issuance of notification regarding acceptance of all demands.