Doctors want Saturday declared off-day amid fuel crisis

The Association of Medical Specialists (AMS) has called for Saturday to be declared an off day, as the ongoing fuel crisis is placing severe strain on them.

In a statement, the AMS expressed deep concern over the impact of fuel shortages and rising costs on doctors, particularly those serving in outstation hospitals.

It noted that many specialists are required to travel long distances to reach their workplaces, often multiple times a day, making transportation an essential yet increasingly unaffordable aspect of their duties.

The AMS pointed out that despite these challenges, specialist doctors are not adequately compensated for transport, unlike some other public sector employees who receive adjusted allowances in line with fuel price increases.

The association warned that the situation has led to growing unrest among doctors, raising the risk of disruption to specialist medical services, especially in remote and underserved areas.

Among its key proposals, the AMS urged authorities to declare Saturday an off day with a revised working week, introduce a fair compensation mechanism to address outdated allowances, and implement a more stable payment system for extra duties carried out by specialists.

The association also called for urgent discussions with authorities stressing the need for immediate solutions to safeguard the continuity of healthcare services.

source: Daily Mirror