It is important to remember that strikes just don’t happen, they are caused. Since strikes in Pakistan are getting a lot more common now. Picture a strike along with its effects: the work area is desolated, machines stand still and the work cycle is severely affected. The authorities that are caught off guard and are facing loss, relent and accept the demands of the protestors. However, a strike at a hospital brings a different scenario. A patient left without any caretakers is an extremely difficult situation to tackle. Patients come to hospitals in search of cures for their ailments from doctors and nurses as well as equipment that can only be handled by expertise.
A recent strike was organised by the doctors of Services Hospital in Lahore on 25th February, 2015. The doctors demanded effective security from target killers and better wages. Similarly, in January 2013 and July 2012, Punjab Young Doctors Association (YDA) declared strikes in Lahore too. The strike of 2012 reported 11 deaths during the protest. If the constant functioning of a hospital is hindered due to a strike, it may put many lives at risk. Thus, shutting down hospitals and protesting is really not the best solution. Agreed, at times strike is the only option to make the government cater to demands; however, its consequences should never be ignored. Doctors should find alternatives for strikes; establish a union or adopt table talk with the authorities. Likewise, the government should provide doctors with their deserved rights since they are important individuals of the society who are serving the community. Otherwise, it is a shame for the country at large if patients suffer due to a lack of services even after such modern advancements in medicine.
RAMSHA TARIQ
Lahore