OPDs at three hospitals shut for nearly a week

Out-patient departments (OPD) at three government hospitals in Rawalpindi turned away patients yet again as the strike by doctors over the torture of their colleague at a Lahore hospital continued for the sixth day on Wednesday.

The Young Doctors Association (YDA) called the strike last week following the incident at Lahore’s Children’s Hospital.

As a result, the OPD at Benazir Bhutto General Hospital, Holy Family Hospital and District Headquarters Hospital remained shut for the sixth consecutive day.

The protest has been accompanied by sit-ins and protests, with the one on Wednesday spearheaded by doctors from the Benazir Bhutto General Hospital.

This followed a joint meeting of the doctors associated with the three hospitals.

The protesters agreed that doctors felt unsafe at government hospitals and demanded better security.

The YDA has also sought legal action against the individuals involved in torturing the doctor which was captured on video.

The incident occurred when enraged attendants of a child attacked the doctor blaming him for the death.

The doctors say they will continue the strike until their demands are met.

Patients visiting these hospitals are facing immense challenges, being referred to over-burdened emergency departments at the hospital.

A large number of them have complained that they had to visit private hospitals due to the footfall in the emergency department.

The families of the patients torture the doctors every day and no legislation has been enacted to protect the doctors.

On this occasion, the protesting doctors raised slogans for protection.