Patients bear the brunt as YDA strike enters fifth day

LAHORE: The Young Doctors Association (YDA) continues its strike across Punjab for the fifth consecutive day on Saturday.

Authorities on Friday took action against 39 striking doctors who refused to work in the outpatient and indoor departments of public hospitals. Many male doctors were terminated while the salaries of the striking female doctors were deducted for being 'absent from duty'. 

In Lahore's Jinnah Hospital, a scuffle was reported between the protesting doctors and a patient's attendants after the former reportedly refused to tend to the patient. SP Ayesha Butt reached the hospital and resolved the situation. 

While the emergency departments of government hospitals in Multan, Rahim Yar Khan, Gujrat, Gujranwala, and Faisalabad remained open, patients visiting the OPDs and other wards suffered as a result of the strike.

Major govt hospitals in Punjab without doctors as YDA strike enters fourth day

Negotiations between the Punjab government and YDA leaders failed to make headway on Thursday

This is not the first time the association is protesting after it put forward its two demands to suspend Punjab Health Secretary Najam Shah and revoke the Central Induction Policy.

Negotiations between the association and the government have failed six times after the latter refused to suspend Shah.

A government spokesperson rejected YDA’s demand for the policy to be rejected.