Young doctors’ strike at two leading hospitals in Faisalabad entered the ninth day on Tuesday. They are protesting for enhanced salaries, a generally improved service structure and better job security.
The doctors at District Headquarters (DHQ) Hospital and Allied Hospital went on an indefinite strike following a call from Young Doctors’ Association. The medics abstained from performing their duties at Out-Patients Departments (OPDs), exacerbating the problems of patients and their families.
The doctors refused to admit any patient in the OPDs until their demands were met.
Mian Arif, a resident of Sammundri, said he was in severe pain due to a lung problem which restricted his mobility. He said on reaching Allied Hospital, he was informed that no one was being admitted to the OPD.
Allah Bux, a resident of Jaranwala Tehsil criticised the doctors for denying them treatment during their strike. He urged them to adopt other means to make voice their grievances.
Naveed Akram, an attendant at Allied Hospital, said medicine was a sacred profession that endeavoured to heal people. He said doctors must remain true to their oath and adopt other strategies of protest.
Patients and attendants protested against the doctors’ strike, saying their refusal to treat patients could cause casualties and foster a hostile environment. They urged the government to quickly resolve the issue; by clamping down on the strikers or meeting their demands.
The protesting doctors accused bureaucrats of victimising them over unfounded allegations.
Dr Naseer Ahmad, one of the striking doctors, said, “We face financial constraints. We keenly joined this sacred profession but the government is forcing us to work in a very hostile environment.”
The protesting doctors said that the government was depriving them of their legitimate rights. They complained of being underpaid and threatened to continue their strike until their demands were accepted.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 25th, 2014.
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