LAHORE - Suffering humanity remained on the losing side as deadlock persisted over the issue of transfer of doctors, causing Young Doctors Association’s strike to enter its sixth day on Tuesday.
YDA continued its strike at public sector hospitals across the province, adding to the sufferings of visiting patients and their attendants besides causing cancellation of hundreds of scheduled surgeries.
Government had recently transferred hundreds of ad hoc doctors from different public sector hospitals to accommodate those selected by Punjab Public Service Commission.
Not accepting the government’s decision of transferring the doctors and appointing those selected by PPSC on their seats, Young Doctors Association  closed down Out Patient Departments of major hospitals that increased burden on already overburdened emergencies. Closure of OPDs also halted referral of patients to the wards for admission and thus gradually decreased the number of indoor patients.
 The strike has also caused people to rush to private hospitals for treatment.  Incidents of exchange of harsh words between protesting doctors and attendants of patients were witnessed at almost all public sector hospitals in the City.
 The attendants cursed the protesting doctors and demanded the government to take a bold stance and close the chapter of blackmailing healthcare providers forever.
 They said  govt should deal with the protesting doctors with iron hand.