Lack of coverage: Disgruntled junior doctors end protest

Say PTI’s rally overshadowed their demonstrations

LAHORE: After demonstrating on various roads of Lahore, members of the Young Doctors Association (YDA) have stopped their protests, claiming their issues were overshadowed by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s rally.

YDA office-bearers decided to stop protesting after they got no media attention despite demonstrating for quite a few hours on Tuesday.

“Our faction of Jinnah and Children hospitals organised separate sit-ins on Canal and Ferozpur roads respectively,” YDA Spokesperson Dr Zafarullah told the media. “We have protested in front of Punjab Assembly and will soon announce the new dates of our sit-in.”



The administrations of six hospitals, including Mayo, Jinnah, Children and Lady AItchson, Lady Willingdon, completely shut down their outpatient departments and other operational procedures. But the demonstrations were a little bit unorganised – around 200 doctors participated in each protest that was followed by a kilometre-long march.

However, the office-bearers of YDA believed the complete shutdown at hospitals showed the doctors’ community was united.

YDA office-bearers have been demanding the government sack the health secretary, Najam Shah, and cancel the termination letter of Dr Shehryar Khan Niazi.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 2^nd, 2016.