LAHORE - The Punjab Young Doctors Association Thursday took to the streets to mount pressure on government for the implementation of service structure, payment of salaries to PG trainees and completion of development projects at hospitals.
The YDA closed down four major City roads from 11am to 1pm, causing traffic jams. Like the previous protest on March 31, young doctors also staged demonstrations in at district level to convey a strong message to the government. Young doctors from Mayo Hospital, De’Montmorency/Punjab Dental Hospital and Sir Ganga Ram Hospital blocked The Mall outside Punjab Assembly, those from Services Hospital and Punjab Institute of Cardiology blocked Jail Road, doctors from Children’s Hospital and Lahore General Hospital blocked Ferozepur Road while those from Sheikh Zayed Hospital and Jinnah Hospital staged a sit-in on Canal Road.
YDA leaders Dr Amer Bandesha, Dr Hamid Butt, Dr Ajmal, Dr Khurram, Dr Shoaib Niazi, Dr Adnan, Dr Ali Dogar, Dr Abid Abbas, Dr Umer Shah, Dr Asif and Dr Usman Maan led protests at different locations. The protesters were carrying banners and placards inscribed with their demands. They continued chanting slogans against the government for depriving them of their rights despite agreement on the issue two-and-a-half years ago.
Absence of doctors caused serious problems for the patients as OPDs remained shut for hours and minor operations were postponed. The poor patients, who had come from far-off districts, were the worst hit.
YDA spokesman Dr Amer Bandesha said that over 1200 PG trainees were performing duties without salaries. He said that the Punjab government had stopped payment to 300 PG trainees drawing salaries from districts. He said that the creation of 10,000 posts of doctors was merely eyewash. He said that YDA would continue protest for another week. He said that future strategy would be devised at YDA General Council if the legitimate demands of medical community were not accepted.