Young Doctors Association (YDA) on Wednesday announced suspension of services in outpatient and inpatient wards across the province. The YDA decision came after the police arrested office-bearers of the association for beating up the medical superintendent of the District Headquarters Hospital Gujranwala. According to details, doctors of District Headquarters Hospital were protesting for an increment in their salaries. During the protest, the doctors ransacked the hospital building and beat up the medical superintendent in his office.
Witnesses said that when some doctors tried to intervene, the protesting doctors beat them up as well. Office equipment of the medical superintendent was also damaged in the brawl.
Police was summoned to the scene and several doctors involved in the mayhem were arrested. After the incident, the YDA Punjab suspended services in the OPDs of the hospitals, causing problems for poor patients in cold weather.
“Why do poor patients have to suffer every time something wrong goes with the doctors,” Bashira Bibi, an attendant for a patient asked.
“It is such cold weather and we are here from far off places. The doctors should at least keep in mind the woes of poor patients. We cannot go to private health establishments which is way too expensive for us. Government hospitals are our only option and young doctors keep depriving us from basic health facilities,” she said. Currently, there are at least 1,000 indoor patients at Services Hospital, about 875 patients at Jinnah Hospital, 1,470 patients at Mayo Hospital and about 1,360 patients at Sir Gangaram Hospital.
Talking to Pakistan Today, Gangaram Hospital Medical Superintendent Dr Ijaz said that the young doctors were very important for the hospital. However, he said, in the absence of young doctors, senior doctors would continue to provide healthcare to citizens and would ensure that no harm comes to the patients of the hospital. Talking to Pakistan Today, YDA Spokesperson Dr Nasir said the strike had been announced to shut services in OPDs and indoor patients in the entire province in protest against the arrest of YDA Punjab head, Dr Rashid and other leaders in Gujranwala.
“It is a government ploy to delay implementing the agreed upon service structure with doctors and the health secretary is responsible for it,” Nasir said, adding that they strike would continue if the YDA office-bearers were not released. This attack by the young doctors drew criticism from other doctors’ associations. General Cadre Doctors Association (GCDA) President Dr Masood Akhtar condemned the attack on the senior doctors. “Initially they an issue with the government, but now they have done it with their seniors, which is totally unacceptable. There are around 16,000 General Cadre doctors in the province and we have formed a committee to look into the matter. We will not be silent bystanders,” he added.
Special Assistant to Chief Minister Punjab on Health Khwaja Salman Rafique, however, condemned the attack and the behaviour of the doctors.
“No one will be allowed to create a law and order situation,” he added.
The doctors are getting Talban. will Khadim e AAla harness them?
Sack them all. End their carriers. There should be a limit to every thing. They crossed it earlier and once again now. recruit more doctors and put all of the strikers in Jail for not fulfilling their duties.
Both of you aryanazlam and thinker…… tum dono per lanat ho. Recruit karne kee batein kr rahe ho, jaahil admee… jo pehle hain, wo bahar jaa rahe hain, jo bahar se parh kr arahe hain, onehn koi job mil nahi rahi , srf NEB k dhakkey khaa rahe hain, tum log apni bakwas kr rahe ho. Fees kese poori ho gee, gher kaise bane ga YDoc ka… tum log apni bakwas apne pass rakho, pehle detail study karo. Khadim e ala ko sarko per arboo ropey lagane jaiz nazar ate hain, per doctors jo mang rahe hain, onehn dete kyu nahee.. Ye bhi yad rakho, k jo Punjab Govt chal rahee ha wo pesa bhi awaam ka hee ha… Laptop schemes, metro projects inn se kya mile gaa… Logo k pass job nahee ha, gher mei faaqe hain, sab khane or lootne mei lagge hain, agr YDoctors ne kch mang bhi lia to jo Khaadim bana betha ha poore Punjab ka osse chaiye k Lahore se bahar nikley, sara pesa Lahore mei ghusser dia ha… Baaqi Punjab ka kya hain?
Looks like YDA doctors want to have it both ways. They took the law in their own hands by beating the DMS of the hosp. Now they go on strike.
They should be terminated from their services and also criminal cases should be registered against them. You have to set the example for the future.
If they think that this health service is so bad then they must RESIGN.It is just like if you can not continue to live with your spouse, you apply for divorce.
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