To the rescue: Army Medical Corps doctors deployed at Punjab hospitals

Doctor­s take charge at differ­ent hospit­als across Punjab.


Rameez Ahmed/web Desk July 02, 2012

At the behest of the Government of Punjab, doctors from the Army Medical Corps were deployed at different hospitals in Punjab on Monday, Express News reported. The doctors were welcomed by the relatives of the patients.

Doctors took charge at Mayo, Jinnah hospitals in Lahore, outdoor wards of Nishtar Hospital in Multan and Civil Hospital in Gujranwala.

Meanwhile, young female doctors in Rawalpindi resumed their duties. Outdoor wards in Rahim Yar Khan were also reopened.

A contingent of police was deployed in case of a possible protest.

According to a spokesperson of the Punjab government, senior doctors are fulfilling duties in place of young doctors.

The Punjab government had decided to appoint 1,000 medical officers.

The Government of Punjab requested the Army to deploy more doctors.

The Pakistan Army announced that free treatment will be offered to people at military hospitals and that doctors will work in two shifts to treat them.

Police doctors deputed

The Punjab government has also requested the Police department to depute their doctors to hospitals in Lahore to compensate for the doctors on strike.

Doctors from the police department have been deputed to six hospitals in Lahore.

YDA president arrested

Punjab police barged into the Services hospital where the Young Doctor’s general council meeting was taking place. President of YDA Hamid Butt, Chief of YDA Amir Bandesha and four doctors were arrested.

Action had been taken after the deadline given to the young doctors by the Punjab government ended and negotiations with senior doctors ended without any results.

Six SPs led heavy contingents of police to contain the perimeter of the Services hospital.

Many doctors were also arrested during the search operation at the young doctor’s hostels.

The four doctors of YDA were given four days physical remand for committing criminal negligence of removing drip of an infant to join a YDA protest resulting in the death of the child.

The police officials had produced the doctors before a magistrate’s court seeking eight-day physical remand on a plea to arrest the doctors and record their statements. However, the judge granted them four days physical remand directing the Investigation Officer (IO) of the case to produce the doctors before the court on July 6.

COMMENTS (102)

momee | 11 years ago | Reply

The ruthless action of the punjab govt against young doctors reminds us of similar action by martial govt of Gilani during Gen Zia's regime in mid eighties against medical students of punjab during MRD movement.The whole situation has been mismanaged by the punjab govt beaurocrats of khadim-e-aala Shahbaz Sharif .hey have made a mountain out of a mole hill.they had to call in the army for damage control.Hats of to AMC doctors to work in this environment.they are putting in their best inspite of all odds.Pak army has always faced shortage of doctors but has responded well to this nation's call for duty.now we should go for table talks with YDA instead of harrasing them.listen to them with an open mind and solve their grieviences after all they are the sons and daughters of pakistan. Momee.

tahmina | 11 years ago | Reply

@M. I. Aslam: Yes, army docs are better paid, they have better houses, better pension better facilities like transport and better working conditions, when they retire they all get a house for free. Stop complaining on behalf of the army, civilan governments need to be able to negotiate with its servicemen, not cry for help from the army.

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