Negotiating solutions: ‘YDA hunger strike could come to an amicable end’

General Cadre Doctors Association members have been having detailed meetings with YDA office bearers.

LAHORE:

General Cadre Doctors Association’s (GCDA) negotiations with Young Doctors’ Association (YDA) Punjab are expected to take a positive turn as progress has been made towards an acceptable resolution, GCDA office bearers said on Friday.

GCDA President Dr Masood Akhter Sheikh said GCDA had been negotiating with professors, medical superintendents and principals of medical colleges for a practical solution so that the YDA hunger strike could be called off.

“If the matter cannot be settled in one go, then a step-by-step solution be sought,” said Dr Sheikh addressing the provincial council meeting discussing the hunger strike.

Dr Sheikh said the GCDA had formed a dispute resolution committee under the chairmanship of Dr Aslam Hameed with Dr Masood Akhtar Sheikh, Dr Haq Nawaz Bharwana, Dr Rana Rafique, Dr Arif Iftikhar, Dr Muhammad Arif, Dr Amir Nazeer, Dr Asim Farooqui, Dr Ejaz Warraich, Dr Khawja Mahboob, Dr Farrukh, Dr Shazia and Dr Alia amongst its members.



He explained that the negotiation team had frequently met with the YDA and had had detailed discussions on issues including the Gujranwala incidenct, terminations and transfers in hospitals, service structure implementation and the provision of medicine and free tests at government-run health institutes.

“Regarding the issue of termination and transfers of the young doctors, the GCDA is of the view that the careers of the young doctors must be protected. At the same time respect for senior faculty members must also be maintained,” he added.

Dr Haq Nawaz Bharwana said that the new service structure for doctor had been gained in joint struggle and now its implementation must be the focus of doctors’ associations. He requested the YDA leadership to solve the issue amicably.

YDA Punjab Media Secretary Dr Khurrum Shehzad said the hunger strike by the doctor had entered its 12th day, however, no serious efforts had been made to resolve the issue. He said the condition of six of the protesting doctors was critical.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 16^th, 2013.