OPDs at Punjab government hospitals closed in protest

Activists close emergency ward of Services Hospital after anti-corruption officials tried to 'pick' Dr Atif Chaudhry

LAHORE: The Young Doctors Association (YDA) forced on Tuesday the closure of out-patient departments of teaching hospitals in Punjab to protest the raid conducted by the Anti-Corruption Establishment to arrest a doctor nominated in a corruption case at the Services Hospital.
The YDA Punjab has emerged as a “formidable” body struggling for medics’ better career prospects by setting a rare precedence of unity for other medical associations.
The association has given a tough time to the Punjab government during its last three years’ struggle for service structure for young medics.
YDA activists closed the emergency ward of the Services Hospital Monday night after the anti-corruption officials tried to “pick” YDA senior vice-president Dr Atif Chaudhry.



Dr Chaudhry and YDA Punjab information secretary Dr Salman Haseeb have been nominated in a corruption case under the Anti-Corruption Act.
The activists clashed with the anti-corruption official at the Services Hospital’s emergency ward and accused them of torturing the YDA vice-president.
They alleged that the anti-corruption officials in civvies had tortured and tried to kidnap the doctor, vowing to not let the emergency ward function till the government takes action against the anti-corruption officials.
The YDA activists also alleged that the officials were acting without arrest warrants and added that none of them had any identity card.