Daily Times

Sir: Strikes in Pakistan are getting a lot more common now. When a strike occurs, the work area is desolated, machines stand still and the work cycle is severely affected. The authorities accept the demands of the protestors in most cases. However, a strike at a hospital presents a different scenario. Patients come to hospitals for treatment of their illnesses from doctors and nurses, but when they are on strike, it becomes an extremely difficult situation.

A recent strike was organised by young doctors at Services Hospital in Lahore on February 25, 2015. Doctors were demanding effective security from target killers and better pay structures. Similarly, in January 2013 and July 2012, the Punjab Young Doctors Association (YDA) declared strikes in Lahore too. The strike of 2012 reported 11 deaths during the protest. If the functioning of a hospital is hindered due to a strike, it may put many lives at risk. Thus, shutting down hospitals and protesting is really not the best solution. Agreed, at times a strike is the only option to make the government cater to demands; however, its consequences should never be ignored. Doctors should find alternatives to strikes, establish a union or adopt negotiations with the authorities. Likewise, the government should provide doctors with their deserved rights since they are important individuals of society who are serving the community at large.
RAMSHA TARIQ
Lahore