Doctors partially end strike in Punjab

In compliance with directives of the Lahore High Court (LHC), the Young Doctors Association (YDA) partially called off their strike, announcing resumption of duties in Emergency Wards across the province.

The LHC on Friday gave a deadline to end their strike and resume duties in the Emergency Wards of all the state-run hospitals of Punjab.

Spokesperson YDA Punjab Dr Nasir Bokhari while speaking to the media observed, “We have decided to immediately rejoin our duties at emergency wards. If we save just one life during the whole night, we will consider it our success”.

However, he made it clear that their strike at OPDs (Outdoor Patients) and indoor departments will continue. He also offered thanks to the court for listening to their grievances.

The court meanwhile restrained the provincial government from harassing and arresting doctors from the hospitals.

Justice Ijazul Ahsan read out the order, “This court expects doctors to show bona fide and goodwill by calling off their strike immediately and resuming work at emergencies at 9am, Saturday”.

It also stated, “Likewise no unlawful hindrance or restriction would be caused in the resumption of work by doctors. In addition, the Punjab government shall not cause undue harassment or conduct raids at the residences of the doctors”.

The LHC while seeking record of a case registered against doctors over the death of an infant during the strike at the Mayo Hospital, summoned YDA leaders including its president Hamid Butt.

The representatives of the association stated that their leaders were unable to show up fearing arrests and harassment.

General Secretary YDA Nasir Abbas informed the court that the provincial government was harassing doctors and police was conducting raids on their residences and hospitals.

He explained, “There is no service structure for the doctors that compelled them to go on strike as the government wasn’t willing to heed their grievances”.

On the other hand, Health Secretary Arif Nadeem clarified that police had apprehended 32 doctors but all of them have been released.

Replying to a query, he stated the provincial authorities had no objection if the doctors rejoined their duties at the emergency wards. He, however, pointed out that the government has started hiring new medics.

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Posted by Faisal Farooq on Jul 7 2012. Filed under Latest News, Pakistan, Society. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.