In a stark revelation of the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), doctors have issued a stern warning of a strike starting January 26 if their demands are not met. The region’s healthcare infrastructure, already strained under decades of neglect, is now on the brink of total collapse.
Healthcare workers across PoK hospitals are up in arms over unpaid salaries stretching back months, severe shortages of life-saving medicines, and deplorable working conditions that endanger both patients and staff. ‘We cannot continue treating patients without basic supplies,’ said Dr. Ahmed Khan, spokesperson for the PoK Doctors Association, during a press conference in Muzaffarabad.
Reports indicate that government hospitals in key districts like Muzaffarabad, Mirpur, and Kotli are functioning at minimal capacity. Power outages lasting up to 18 hours daily have crippled ventilators and other critical equipment. Essential drugs for treating tuberculosis, diabetes, and maternal health are virtually unavailable, forcing families to sell assets to afford private care or travel to Pakistan proper.
The timing of the strike threat coincides with India’s Republic Day, adding a layer of political tension to the unrest. Local activists claim this is no coincidence, pointing to Islamabad’s alleged strategy to divert attention from PoK’s worsening conditions. ‘Our people are dying due to indifference,’ lamented resident Fatima Bibi from Neelum Valley, where infant mortality rates have spiked dramatically.
Years of political instability and disputed status have left PoK’s health budget chronically underfunded. International aid organizations have repeatedly flagged the crisis, yet Pakistan’s administration has failed to implement meaningful reforms. Doctors demand immediate payment of dues, recruitment of additional staff, and procurement of essential medicines.
As the January 26 deadline approaches, hospitals are preparing contingency plans, but experts warn that a full-scale strike could prove catastrophic. With winter exacerbating respiratory illnesses and road blockages hampering supply lines, the stakes couldn’t be higher. The international community watches closely as this health emergency threatens to spiral into a full-blown disaster in the disputed territory.