GHA threatens to close indoor services in hospitals

LAHORE:After a boycott of outdoor services for the 11th consecutive day, Grand Health Alliance (GHA) Punjab, on Thursday, threatened to shut down indoor services in all public sector hospitals across Punjab.

While speaking at a press conference at Lahore General Hospital, GHA's Chairman Dr Salman Haseeb, Young Doctors Association (YDA) General Secretary Dr Haseeb Thind and the Young Nurses Association (YNA) Central President Fauzia Azam said that the health department was targeting and victimising doctors, nurses and paramedics. The GHA officials added that if the health department did not stop issuing orders of doctors' suspension, we will shut down the indoor services of hospitals from Monday and patients will not be checked in the wards. "If the suspension continues, we may also suspend the indoor services before Monday.

“We will not allow the privatisation of the hospitals to happen. We appeal to the government that there are better solutions, so matters should be resolved through dialogue instead of confrontation”.

They expressed the resolve that they would not be bullied and scared by the police. They said that the government was repeating a failed experiment of hiring doctors and other health professionals on temporary basis against our seats, for previously the government fired them after two or three months without paying salaries. "The same is going to be repeated this time around as well," they added.

While speaking about another issue of India's hollow threats and escalation on borders, they also declared that they stand side by side with Pakistan army and will be ready for every emergency.

Meanwhile, the GHA continued its boycott of services in outdoor wards and operation theatres in hospitals, which has been causing tremendous difficulties for the patients, especially coming from others districts and far-off areas.