LAHORE – The Lahore High Court on Thursday allowed the Punjab Government, the Punjab Medical and Dental Council and College of Physicians and Surgeons of Pakistan to implement the Supreme Court order against the striking doctors. The LHC order has come on a contempt of court petition against the Young Doctors Association. Justice Umar Atta Bandial also issued notice to the PMDC and CPSP for February 22.
The judge observed: “Those violating the SC orders should know what consequences of it can be. The SC knows to get its orders implemented.” Earlier, advocate Muhammad Azhar Siddique submitted that the Supreme Court in a suo moto case about deaths of cardiac patients due to the fake drugs provided by the Punjab Institute of Cardiology had ruled that “[t]he doctors represent a noble profession .” He pleaded that despite the SC orders, the doctors in Lahore were continuing their protest.
Meanwhile, the strike by the Young Doctors Association entered its second day on Thursday. The doctors refused to open the vital facilities including the Indoor and OPDs at public sector hospitals in the City. This caused a huge inconvenience to the patients. Hundreds of necessary and scheduled operations were cancelled. The protesting doctors also stopped those doctors and other staff who wanted to attend the patients willingly, resulting in exchange of harsh arguments at many places.
The medics protesting against suspension of their senior colleagues over the Punjab Institute of Cardiology medicine issue misbehaved with patients and their attendants. The patients visiting public sector hospitals affected by medics strike left with no other option except to go to nearby private clinics. The incidents of hot arguments between the protesting doctors and attendants of patients were witnessed at a number of hospitals including the Services Hospital and the PIC.
YDA Punjab has announced to continue strike for one week to press for the demand of restoration of suspended doctors which means more hardships for the poor patients visiting public sector hospitals for free medical facilities. Addressing a press conference, YDA’s Punjab President Dr Hamid Butt said that the government was responsible for the inconvenience to the patients at hospitals. Dr Nasir Abbas, Dr Usman Dar, Dr Khuzaima, Dr Amer Bandesha, Dr Usman Ayoub and Dr Javed Malik were also present. Dr Hamid Butt said that the YDA would take back strike call provided the judges and lawyers announced to not doing it for their rights.