Daily Times

LAHORE: The Young Doctors Association (YDA) once again staged protest demonstrations on five major roads of the city on Wednesday, demanding implementation of agreed service structure, promotion of doctors, payment of salaries to all PG trainees, early completion of ongoing development projects and other major issues being faced at the government hospitals.

Massive traffic jams were observed on different important roads of the city due to YDA protest at Mall Road, Jail Road, Ferozpur Road, Canal Road and Ravi Road, much to the agony of the citizens. Even ambulances were seen stuck due to long queues of vehicles on major roads.

A number of public hospital doctors of the city stopped working and took out rallies on different important roads to protest against the government for not implementing what they called was an ‘agreed upon’ service structure. The patients of all teaching hospitals faced a lot of troubles due to absence of young doctors from their duties.

The protestors were carrying placards and banners mentioning words in favour of their demands and chanting slogans against Punjab government, Health Department and Khawaj Salman Rafique for not materialising the promises made regarding service structure and other issues.

YDA of Services Hospital gathered at Jail Road at around 10am, Mayo and Ganga Ram Hospitals staged a protest rally at Mall Road, YDA members of Lahore General Hospital, Children Hospital gathered at Ferozpur Road, YDA members of Jinnah Hospital staged a protest rally at canal road while YDA of Dental Hospital staged a protest at Ravi Road, causing massive traffic jams on roads.

The YDA representatives said that Punjab government was not listening to the complaints of young doctors despite the fact that they boycotted the OPD services in public hospitals for last few years. They demanded provision of proper service structure as majority of doctor remained in same grade for years without promotions.

While addressing the participants, the YDA office-bearers demanded that the government must raise the salaries of doctors and fulfill other demands in line with the promises of the Punjab chief minister, Health Department and Advisor to CM on Health Khawaja Salman Rafique.

The YDA officials said according to the set agreements between government and the association, the government has not even fulfilled 50 percent of their demands and currently, the government was running away from its promises.

The protesters appealed the government to hear their demands otherwise they would not be left with no other option but to chock the provincial metropolis. They also announced that their strikes would continue till the acceptance of their demands.