Daily Times

LAHORE: The Young Doctors Association (YDA) once again staged protest rallies against central induction post graduation policy in the provincial capital on Wednesday.

The young doctors gathered outside Punjab Assembly and blocked The Mall road which badly interrupted the traffic flow and commuters faced severe problems. It is pertinent to mention here that the government had imposed section-144 to discourage protest demonstrations but in spite of this the YDA staged a protest demonstration.

The YDA is of the view that doctors in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are getting more salaries than Punjab. They demanded increase in salaries. The YDA announced that a series of protests would continue until the Punjab government withdraws the central induction policy.

The young doctors of Mayo Hospital, Punjab Dental Hospital and Sir Ganga Ram Hospital blocked The Mall by holding protest demonstration in front of Punjab Assembly. The young doctors were carrying banners and placards inscribed with their demands and chanting slogans against the government for depriving doctors of their rights in the province. The protesters said that if the government would not complete their demands, they would enhance the protest against government on routine basis. The YDA has demanded to change the policy of central induction.

The young doctors’ strike caused a great deal of problems for the patients in hospitals, as work in OPDs was partially shut and several minor operations were postponed. Besides, the closure of roads created massive inconvenience for the people, who remained stuck in traffic for hours. Several ambulances were also stuck in traffic, which endangered the lives of some serious patients.

The YDA leaders, however, claimed that young doctors didn’t hold a strike or disrupt the healthcare services in hospitals, as majority of doctors’ strength continued to provide healthcare services to the patients in emergency, indoor and outdoor wards of their respective hospitals. They claimed that doctors were performing duties in hospitals as usual, and no operations were postponed. However, it proved to be a hollow promise as patients were seen running from pillar to post to get the required treatment.

Specialized Healthcare & Medical Education Secretary Najam Ahmad Shah said that the YDA’s protest is baseless and illogical as the government had already met their demands. He said patients at DHQ and THQ also need medical services but doctors hesitate to serve there. He said “we will ensure availability of medical facilities at less-developed areas”.