Who loses?
It is pretty clear that so long as the Punjab government does not honour its promises to the Young Doctors Association, so long the latter will protest; which means periodic episodes of blocked roads and ignored patients. On the surface, it’s a simple enough matter. The Punjab government, on Nov2 2012, agreed to a 52-point draft with YDA – regarding promotions, etc, of 4,000 odd doctors. But the government has since apparently changed its mind, and introduced measures that were not agreed upon during previous negotiations as more suitable for the time being. The result is just as clear; Lahore will be choked from one corner to another because protesting doctors will block crucial roads at peak rush hours.
Perhaps the N-league needs reminding every now and then that a government that cannot keep its word is not a government worth its salt. So often khadim-e-aala waves his finger, orders inquires and commissions, and promises relief for the masses. But no sooner than the cameras switch off are matters forgotten, at least officially. And when the grieved party takes to street protest, it finds itself, more often than not, getting the short end of the stick. Certainly the worst example was Punjab police baton charging blind protesters – not once, but twice – when the latter were only asking for their legitimate demands.
The doctors, too, must realise their responsibilities when they decide to take things in their own hands. Granted, there is no justification for the government going back on its word, and those repeatedly robbed of their rights are often left with few alternatives but to resort to agitation. But the medical profession is far nobler than most other occupations. It carries a love and respect for human life, and care for suffering, that is not part and parcel of any other profession. Doctors, therefore, must be careful that their protests do not leave those in medical need in the lurch. And that is exactly what YDA protests have done. Hundreds, if not thousands, of people in need of medical attention were left in limbo as doctors went on strike. There is an urgent need to resolve such situations immediately lest they are in turn responsible for far more serious tragedies that can be easily avoided. In the end everybody loses – the government, doctors, and especially, the people of Pakistan.