Nurses continue protest

LAHORE

The deadlock between nurses and Punjab Specialised Healthcare and Medical Education Department continued as nurses from all public sector hospitals, under the banner of Young Nurses Association (YNA), continued protest outside Punjab Assembly on Tuesday.

The nurses’ strike in hospitals severely affected service delivery in hospitals, while their protest demonstration and sit-in on The Mall in front of Punjab Assembly hampered smooth flow of traffic. The nurses’ strike also caused postponement of several minor elective surgeries in public sector hospitals of Lahore. Carrying placards and banners inscribed with their demands, nurses chanted slogans against the government for denying their right of service structure and Health Professional Allowance (HPA). The nurses’ sit-in at Faisal Chowk caused worst traffic mess on The Mall and adjoining roads throughout the day. The closure of Faisal Chowk and Queens’ Road from Sir Ganga Ram Hospital to The Mall caused diversion of traffic on adjoining roads that led to a massive traffic jam. Ambulances were seen stuck in traffic jam.

Their protest continued till late night as negotiations with the government officials remained inconclusive. The YNA has announced continuing the sit-in till acceptance of all demands. YNA President Rozina Manzoor said that the HPA of merely Rs 1,500 was not enough for nurses who perform a very sensitive job to take care of patients for several hours more than their duties.