The Supreme Court (SC) Lahore Registry on Monday heard suo moto case regarding the strike by the Young Doctors Association (YDA) and also took notice of the situation regarding the medicines in markets.
A three-judge bench comprising Justice Tassaduq Hussain Jilani, Justice Anwar Zaheer Jamali and Justice Mian Saqib Nisar heard the suo moto case.
The court took notice of the doctors’ strike and deaths of over 120 cardiac patients in Lahore after they were administered some spurious drugs provided by the Punjab Institute of Cardiology (PIC).
During the hearing, Justice Mian Saqib Nisar remarked as to how doctors may go on strike, as this is not appropriate for them to opt against treatment of the patients.
Addressing the representatives of the young doctors, Justice Nisar stressed, “Strike is unjustifiable in your profession. What will a father feel if a doctor declines to treat his child.”
Justice Jilani queried as to what the government is doing with regard to hepatitis, adding there are reports regarding the polio vaccine being beyond the expiry dates.
Punjab Health Secretary replied, “No such situation exists.”
The court, Justice Jilani noted, will take stock of the irregularities in polio and hepatitis as well.
Punjab Advocate General told the court that Dr Azhar voluntarily quit his post. On this Nasir Abbasi, a representative of YDA, said that if Dr Azhar himself tells the court that he did so then they would stop strike.
Later on, the case hearing was adjourned till Wednesday.
