YDA calls off OPD strike conditionally

LAHORE:Fearing a crackdown by the government for disrupting healthcare services in public sector hospitals, the Young Doctors Association in Punjab announced restoring outdoor services today (Friday) after three weeks.

Addressing a press conference at Lahore General Hospital on Thursday, the YDA Punjab President Dr Shoaib Niazi feared a crackdown on young doctors on disciplinary charges.

'A crackdown is expected to begin on young doctors with a view to arresting and transferring them for disrupting healthcare services in hospitals,' he said while hurling a threat at shutting down all services in public sector hospitals in the province.

The YDA President and LGH/PINS chapter President Dr Haseeb announced restoring outdoor services on the condition of bringing killers of a doctor in Gujrat to justice and withdrawal of transfers of young doctors of Kot Khawaja Saeed Hospital, Lahore.

The YDA leaders claimed that they have still not withdrawn boycott of OPDs, as patients will be checked in indoor wards and at counters outside OPD wards as a token of protest against non-fulfillment of their demands. "The media should not misconstrue restoration of outdoor services as reopening of OPD wards," they added.

They warned that any punitive action, including suspension, transfer or arrest is taken, YDA will react strongly and all the hospitals would be closed. "The goodwill message for the CM Punjab is clear that he should come to the negotiation table and move forward with the doctors as a team," said the YDA leaders.

They demanded the CM fulfill young doctors' all demands as YDA struggle for rights will continue. "The CM must practically prove that he recognises the doctors as stakeholders so that the problems can be solved," they concluded.