LAHORE: The Young Doctors’ Association (YDA) Wednesday called off its strike in Lahore following talks with Punjab health authorities.
Reports however suggested the doctors had not completely ended their boycott as they vowed to continue skipping duties at Lahore’s Service hospital till their demands were met.
The medical practitioners have given two days to the provincial government to resolve the issues and meet all their demands.
Earlier in the day, a patient died as the YDA continued its strike for the second day at Lahore’s Services Hospital over attempted arrest of the vice-president of the association Dr Atif.
The deceased’s family staged a protest against the doctors outside the Services Hospital, and alleged that Muhammad Hussain hailing from Ghaziaabad, was not given medical care by the doctors due to the strike.
According to reports, the situation became worse at the hospital where the protesters closed the emergency ward, slip counter, OPD as well as the inpatient and outpatient facilities of the hospital. Similar conditions prevailed in other wards.
Reports suggest that negotiations between Young Doctors Association (YDA) and Punjab government have failed to reach a common ground.
The doctors have also refused to work at General Hospital, Jinnah Hospital, Mayo Hospital and Ganga Ram Hospital.
Earlier on Monday, the emergency ward of the hospital was shut down after a clash between YDA and anti-corruption officials.
According to YDA spokesman, the anti-corruption officials tortured vice-president of the association, Dr Atif, at the emergency ward and tried to arrest him.
On the other hand, an anti-corruption department spokesman informed that there are cases against Dr Atif and Dr Salman under Anti-Corruption Act and they went to the hospital to perform their legal duty.