LAHORE - The Young Doctors Association continued strike at OPDs of teaching hospitals across the province including Lahore yesterday to press for the demand of withdrawal of central induction policy for PG trainees.
The government move of deploying Police helped the administration of hospitals to stop protesting doctors from forcibly closing the OPDs. The YDA, however, managed to close OPDs of Services Hospital and Punjab Institute of Cardiology, causing huge inconvenience to visiting patients. The OPDs of other major hospitals in Lahore continue to provide healthcare facilities to the patients.
The YDA has announced continuing strike at OPDs till withdrawal of central induction policy for PG trainees. The association has warned extending strike to indoors if the old mechanism for induction of PG trainees was not restored.
Terming the strike by a ‘group’ a failure, Health Minister Kh Salman Rafiq said that majority of young doctors along with seniors performed duties at OPDs and provided treatment to thousands of patients.
Addressing a meeting of vice chancellors of medical universities, principals of medical colleges and medical superintendents of teaching hospitals/specialized institutions at Civil Secretariat yesterday, he appreciated the spirit of those who rejected the strike call and preferred to serve the ailing humanity.
The principals of medical colleges of other cities participated the meeting through video link. Secretary Specialized Healthcare & Medical Education Najam Ahmed Shah also attended the meeting.
Kh Salman Rafiq said that young doctors, faculty and consultants performed their duties despite threats and unlawful attitude of miscreants.
Najam Ahmed Shah said that government and the department would provide full support to the administration of the medical institutions/hospitals for maintaining law and order and smooth functioning of the hospitals.
He said that whatever disciplinary action under the law would be taken against the miscreants, the department would fully endorse it. He made it clear that no hindrance would be tolerated in the provision of medical facilities to the patients.