LAHORE/ISLAMABAD – The Punjab government late on Monday sacked 13 more young doctors for participating in the ongoing strike, while the Health Department recruited 465 doctors to restore medical care to patients in a majority of teaching hospitals across the province.
The Punjab government has decided not to bow to the demands of the Young Doctors’ Association. The Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) has called an emergency convention of their office-bearers at the district level tomorrow (Wednesday) in Lahore to resolve the issue and forward recommendations for better treatment of patients.
PMA Punjab President Dr Ashraf Nizami told Pakistan Today that PMA would never allow young doctors to withdraw their services from emergency and PMA condemned the painful situation created by the young doctors. PMA and YDA have not yet reacted to Punjab government’s termination of several dozen doctors.
To counter the strike, the Punjab government recruited 465 new doctors as senior registrars, medical officers, house officers and other teaching cadres on Tuesday. Sources in the Health Department said only eight of the 85 doctors recruited in Services Hospital had joined duty, 15 joined work at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, 28 at Mayo Hospital and 41 at Lahore General Hospital.
According to Lahore General Hospital administration, 41 medical officers and senior registrars had been issued joining orders, but orders for house officers would be issued today (Tuesday), after which they would be able to join duty.
Meanwhile, YDA Islamabad Chapter on Monday observed a complete strike in the capital’s major hospitals, while accelerating its efforts for effective membership drive to pressurise the government for the acceptance of their demands. In Quetta as well, young doctors demanded the government increase their salaries and bring them at par with salaries of doctors in other provinces.
During a press conference at the Quetta Press Club, young doctors announced to form a body with the name of Young Doctors Association which would henceforth raise voice for the protection of the rights of the young doctors in Balochistan.
