Doctors demand Dasti’s prose

LAHORE: Three doctors’ associations called for a strike on Tuesday, urging the government to arrest PPP MNA-elect Jamshed Dasti for attacking Muzaffargarh DHQ doctors following a photographer’s death due to alleged negligence.

Members of the Young Doctors Association (YDA), the Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) and Society of Family Physicians boycotted emergency ward duties for protests held before Mayo and Sir Ganga Ram Hospitals yesterday. Meanwhile, operations scheduled for the day were not cancelled, reported the hospitals’ administrations. Heading a protest before Mayo Hospital, YDA president Rana Sohail said, “Dasti should be immediately arrested and tried in court.”

PMA Lahore president Dr Yasmeen Rashid demanded the Lahore High Court to take suo moto notice against Dasti and his accomplices for beating up the Muzaffargarh THQ doctors on May 24. Talking to The Express Tribune, Rashid said that she had written a letter to the LHC Chief Khawaja Muhammad Sharif in regard. It reads: The medical profession is under tremendous mental stress due to repeated acts of aggression against doctors in various hospitals.

The last act of aggression by MNA Dasti is a “straw that breaks the camel’s back”. These misconducts should be condemned. We appeal you to take suo moto notice of this incident. The police have registered a case against Dasti and 20 of his men, for pelting the hospital building with stones and manhandling doctors. The police have, however, not arrested the MNA or any of his men so far.

Published in the Express Tribune, May 26th, 2010.