5,500 operations put off due to doctors’ strike in Punjab

Emergency operations were being conducted and patients in critical condition being operated without any hurdle

LAHORE: During the ongoing strike by doctors, around 5,500 operations have been postponed in major public sector hospitals of city so far, said Young Doctors Association Punjab General Secretary Dr Nadir.

He said that unfortunately around 40,000 patients at the OPDs of the city hospitals had been suffering since start of the current strike every day. Responding to a question, he said that emergency operations were, however, being conducted and patients in critical condition being operated upon without any hurdle. On the other hand, the Punjab chief minister has formed a committee to talk to doctors about their issues and reservations.

The committee held a meeting with office-bearers of Grand Health Alliance, but no progress could be made. Meanwhile, patients said that doctors should not go on strike as the poor patients have no other remedy in their ailments except for the public sector hospitals.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 21^st, 2019.