In A Fix: YDA Punjab’s general council to meet today

LAHORE:

After the Lahore High Court directed young doctors on Saturday to end their strike, the Young Doctors Association (YDA) Punjab convened a general council meeting for Sunday (today).

The agenda: whether or not they should resume duties at OPDs and wards and how to ensure that their demand for a new service structure is met.

Several association office bearers, who requested anonymity, told The Express Tribune that many members still opposed calling off the strike because they believed that once they did, their demand won’t be met. Some have suggested that doctors submit resignations en masse to the Punjab government to avoid being held for contempt, said a YDA leader. He said that there are many members who thought the young doctors should not resume duties, come what may, and instead call for a ‘long march’.

“There was a proposal that we go back to the OPDs and register our protest by wearing black armbands,” said another member – who spoke on the condition of anonymity –, “or set up ‘tent OPDs’ for 15 days” – the time given by the court to the Punjab government to develop a service structure. “This way we will have obeyed the court’s order and the ball will be in the government’s court,” commented an office bearer who did not wish to be named.

The official YDA Punjab Facebook page reflects the difference of opinion among its members on how to move forward. “Don’t call off indoor, out-patients strike until we have a service structure. It’s NOW or NEVER,” reads a wall post.

“Mass resignations should be collected by [the] YDA as a last resort... it should be mentioned that [we are] resigning [to protest] unfair treatment by the Punjab government... intimidation and state terrorism,” reads a post by Aasim Iqbal Bela.

“Mass resignations are what government wants,” differs another, “They will throw the YDA out of the game... Why do you want to quit?”

Rana Siddique says, “The court decision must be [followed]. Also, a [comprehensive] service structure should be presented to the court.”

Dr Nasir Bokhari, the YDA Punjab spokesperson, said that a “final decision” will be taken after the general council meeting, which will be attended by YDA presidents in 24 districts.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 8^th, 2012.