Simmering tensions: Junior doctors threaten indefinite blockade of Mall

Paramedics, nurses association likely to join YDA protest

LAHORE: With political temperatures simmering in Lahore, the _ (YDA) has also stepped up pressure on the government. The junior doctors have threatened to block Mall Road for an indefinite period over the termination of some office-bearers.

OPDs of different hospitals in Lahore are already non-functional owing to clashes between two factions of doctors and the blockade of Mall Road would emerge as a huge challenge for the law enforcement agencies and the health department itself in the coming days.

While speaking to The Express Tribune, YDA spokesperson Dr Zafarullah said on Monday it was most unfortunate that the health department did not contact the YDA office-bearers and was not addressing their demands.



“We are still committed to our cause until government terminates Health Secretary Najam Shah and cancels the termination letter of Dr Shehyar Khan Niazi,” he said. “We have invited doctors from across Punjab and the government would witness our massive protest and sit-in in front of Punjab Assembly on Mall Road.”

Replying to a question, he said that due to suffering of the patients, the doctors closed the OPDs of three hospitals, including Mayo, Jinnah and Children Hospitals.

He added the paramedical staff and Young Nurses Association would also join the YDA protest on Tuesday (today) in order to express solidarity, while delegations from different part of Punjab will also join the protest. “Let’s see, how the government will not accept our demands” he commented.

When contacted, the spokesperson of health department said the office bearer of YDA and other fellows were suspended on the recommendations of a committee of respected professors.

“The health department has nothing to do with the terminations of these people,” the official said.  He pointed out according to the committee findings, these people were involved in torturing the attendants of the patients.

“They disgraced the noble profession and it is the responsibility of law enforcement agencies to maintain their writ,” he said. “Due to strikes of doctors, the patients are actually suffering as government hospitals are the last hope of millions of poor people.”

He added that doctors should reopen the OPDs of the hospitals as they were punishing the people.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 1^st , 2016.