Respite came to patients as the Punjab Young Doctors Association (YDA) called off their strike after the Punjab government decided to reinstate the suspended Punjab Institute of Cardiology (PIC) doctors as per Supreme Court (SC) orders on Friday. The Punjab Government had been a silent spectator on the doctors’ strike with “half-hearted” attempts, while awaiting the judicial inquiry and the SC decision. Nevertheless, after the orders, Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif chaired a high profile meeting on the issue.
As per details, Professor Dr Azhar was removed from the post of the PIC CEO, while Dr Salim Jaffar was removed from the post of the MS along with other doctors and hospital officials. However, the SC directions will restore the suspended doctors to their respective posts. Patients were the real losers in the strike, which closed the OPDs of city hospitals and the OPD and indoor of the PIC.
Young doctors welcome SC’s decision and YDA spokesperson Dr Nasir also stated that the strike had also been called off. “We hope the decision will be implemented in letter and spirit and the bureaucracy will not create any further hurdles or misunderstandings,” he added. Health Parliamentary Secretary Dr Saeed Elahi said the government had decided to implement court orders and restore all doctors, while Health Secretary Captain (r) Arif Nadeem termed it a “good day” for all.
