The Grand Health Alliance (GHA) called for a strike by over 45,000 doctors, nurses, paramedical staff and non-medical staff from government health institutions in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. The strike began on 27 September 2019. The strikers were demanding the repeal of the regressive Regional and District Health Authorities Act 2019, a cost-cutting measure that would further privatise the health sector and slash government spending, following pressure from the international financial institutions. Earlier strike action had been called off in May when the province’s chief minister formed committees with GHA participation to investigate the issues. The legislation was passed without reports from the committees being released.
The government responded to the 27 September strike by mobilising police, who baton-charged workers and arrested about 16 doctors and paramedics. Eight doctors were charged for participating in the strike.
The strike continued, and on 8 November the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa state government fired three workers, including a doctor. Notices were also issued to 50 leaders of the GHA. The state government warned that disciplinary action would continue until the strike was ended.
