Dozens of medics brawl over a ‘parchi’

YDA and paramedics use sticks and clubs against each other

LAHORE: Wherever there’s a brawl, an audience is not far behind and that was the case when doctors and paramedics got involved in fisticuffs at the Sheikh Zayed Hospital on Wednesday. What was perhaps even more incredible was the fact that they squabbled over the petty issue of a slip being issued to a medic’s relative.

Local police soon rushed to the scene, but witnesses said they played the initial role of silent spectators. Some of them were hesitant to intervene as they did not want to use force against medical practitioners. “Both sides were using clubs and verbally abusing each other,” said a security guard.

According to Sheikh Zayed Hospital Media Spokesman Dr Farhan Mengal, the incident occurred over a petty issue, but needed the intervention of the administration to get resolved. However, later on, the paramedical staff and young doctors gathered outside the emergency ward and started fighting again. This time, the brawl lasted for several hours and nobody was at hand to stop them.

“Thankfully, operation procedures continued as planned at that time,” he commented.

A paramedical staff spokesman, when contacted, said young doctors manhandled one of their colleagues as he wanted to issue a hospital slip for early treatment.

“They slapped a member and threatened him with dire consequences,” he said. “Unfortunately, other members got angry and the situation spiraled out of control.” He added that as a result of the clash, three paramedics suffered injuries.

He said that both parties were now on the negotiating table and matters would be resolved with mutual understanding.

Young Doctors Association President Dr Qasim Awan termed the incident a ‘conspiracy’ against the noble medical profession. He added the matter was a small issue and said it was unfortunate that Sheikh Zayed Hospital had turned “into a ring for several hours”.

He recalled the incident and said a member of the paramedical staff wanted to register an application to the administration over some issue. Dr Qasim stated that YDA members were also present at the scene and a member of the paramedical staff manhandled a doctor and tore his shirt.

“Later, Paramedical Staff President Nasiruddin, along with 50 other members of his team, attacked members outside the emergency ward. The situation took a turn for the worse when one of our colleagues was injured and they besieged the office of the emergency director and shouted slogans against the administration,” he commented. “Unfortunately, the police also did not stop them, I still fail to understand why,” he added.

He said it was due to the YDA that hospitals functioned according to routine and the administration also should have taken steps to calm the issue.

An eyewitness told The Express Tribune that both sides, including doctors and paramedical staff, were using abusive language openly and some were even armed with sticks and clubs.

“None of them were innocent; all were involved in the issue and should be dealt with accordingly,” he added.

“It looked like a street brawl between hoodlums. Even law enforcement agencies kept silent during the situation.”

Published in The Express Tribune, December 21^st, 2017.