Marching doctors: Protest against fellow doctor’s termination

The sacking of the newly-appointed doctor perturbs YDA.

ISLAMABAD:

The Young Doctors Association (YDA) of Islamabad and Rawalpindi are once again on the go, raising their voice against the termination of a young doctor.  On Thursday, they staged a protest against the Executive Director (ED) of Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) Mehmood Jamal for sacking a doctor without any reason or inquiry.

Dr Aqeel Natt, general secretary YDA Rawalpindi, joined Pims Plastic surgery department on May 1 this year and worked there on a rotation basis.

However, on May 5, he was terminated by the ED without any justifiable reaons.

During the protest, about 200 YDA members from the twin cities gathered in front of the National Press Club. However, their counterparts from Pims did not participate.They burnt effigies of the ED, calling the termination a clear violation of the rules and regulations of College of Physicians & Surgeons Pakistan (CPSP) and terming the decision ‘illegal’. Chanting slogans against the Pims administration, they demanded the reinstatment of Dr Aqeel.

Talking to the Express Tribune, Chairperson YDA Rawalpindi Dr Muhammad Haroon, said the protest was planned when the ED refused to negotiate with the YDA.

“We tried to inquire about the reason behind the termination from the Pims administration several times. But they did not produce any satisfactory reason,” he said. He claimed the administration did not send the complaint to RGH, or carry any inquiry.

Moreover, he added that according to the Pims administration, he was terminated for trying to initiate some political activity inside the hospital.

“How is it possible for anyone to do that within four days of his joining?” asked Dr Haroon.

They also approached the head of the plastic surgery department of Pims and came to know that the termination order was issued as per the orders of the Pims ED.

The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council and Principal Rawalpindi Medical College have also termed the termination ‘illegal’, he added.

Talking to the Express Tribune, YDA wing Polyclinic Hospital Chairperson Dr Muhammad Ajmal said he went to meet Dr Natt in Pims on May 4.

“The ED saw me with him and accused Dr Natt of planning political activity in the hospital and terminated him the next morning,” he said. The termination letter mentioned no specific reason for the decision, he added.

Dr Ajmal and Dr Haroon jointly stated that if the termination orders were not taken back by the Pims administration within two days, the YDA will stage a protest demonstration in front of the Parliament House.

When contacted, the Pims ED said Dr Natt was involved in some political agendas and was planning a strike in the hospital, which led to his termination.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 27^th, 2011.