OPDs remain shut as agitating doctors vow to continue strike

LAHORE: The young doctors continued complete strike in Out-Patient Departments (OPDs) in all teaching hospitals across the province, including Lahore, on seventh consecutive day, on Wednesday, against transfer of their colleagues.

Young Doctors' Association's Punjab chapter had given call for strike against Punjab Health department's decision to transfer some ad hoc postgraduate trainees and post newly-selected medical officers in Lahore.

The closure of outpatient departments caused great hardships to the poor patients, visiting or under treatment at the government health facilities.

On the other hand, the association vowed to continue the ongoing strike.

Talking to PPI, YDA Punjab general secretary Dr. Salman Kazmi said none from the Punjab health department authorities had contacted them over the issue despite their strike entered seventh day.

They are not even bothering to talk to the doctors, he regretted.

He maintained that they were aware of the plights of the patients, who were suffering due to the protest. However, he put the blame on the government, saying they were not accepting their demands that were genuine in nature.

Kazmi declared that their protest would continue until their demands were accepted no matter how long it would take.

Punjab health secretary was not available for his comments.