Hunger strike: Do not prosecute senior doctors, says PMA

‘Implementation of reformed service structure should continue’.

LAHORE:

The Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) has asked the government not to register a case against any PMA Gujranwala office bearer or DHQ hospital Gujranwala administrator on the pressure of Young Doctors Association (YDA) Punjab.

In a press conference on Tuesday, a PMA office bearer said the government must fulfill its obligation in the Gujranwala case. The implementation of the reformed service structure for doctors should also continue, he said.

The assault on the DHQ hospital was a shameful incident. A similar incident has taken place in Gujrat, he said.

He said PMA had tried to resolve the issue through dialogue but the young doctors had decided to protest. The PMA leaders said some political parties were trying to exploit the situation at the cost of poor patients who were suffering.

“We appeal to our young friends to resolve the issue peacefully. The PMA is ready to play a mediatory role,” he added.

Meanwhile, the YDA hunger strike entered the 9th day on Tuesday. YDA office bearers said they would hold a rally on Jail Road on Wednesday. They said people from political parties and student associations would join them. “Lawyers, civil society activists and students will join our rally because this is about patients’ rights,”

YDA Media Secretary Dr Khurrum Shehzad told The Express Tribune. He said representatives of the MQM, PTI and PPP on Tuesday had already visited the hunger strike camp and expressed solidarity with the protestors.

Medical Teachers Association (MTA) President Dr Tahseen Sahi said that issue of young doctors should be resolved. “We request all quarters concerned to resolve the issue of young doctors on priority basis… we condemn use of police force,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 13^th, 2013.