Punjab government fires doctors on strike

Announcing the dismissal of all doctors who have been on strike since the last 13 days, the Punjab government called in Army Medical Corps (AMC) to handle to tackle the situation.

A press note issued by the Inter-Service Public Relations (ISPR) said that around 180 doctors will serve duties in their uniforms to cover up for those on strike.

It further said that the army officials will only serve for medical consultation while civilians will handle the managerial tasks.

After negotiations failed between the Punjab government and representatives of Young Doctors Association (YDA), the provincial authorities gave deadline of 24 hours to end the strike. It stated that criminal elements the association will not be given any concession.

According to the reports, the government mulling canceling the licenses of the doctors affiliated with the YDA. It decided not to bow to the striking doctors’ demand at any cost.

Some reports officials of the Health Department said that some of the striking doctors have contacted and expressed willingness to get back to work.

It is vital to mention here that young doctors’ strike has been causing immense problems for patients and their attendants who, in thousands, visit the public hospitals on a daily basis across the province.

The doctors under the banner of YDA have been demanding revision in their service structure while their boycott of duties at outdoor wards is a part of their pressure tactics to press the government to accept their demands.

Earlier, YDA Spokesman Hamid Butt while speaking to the media said that they would continue their struggle until their demands were met.

He said the doctors would besiege Chief Minister House, clarifying that they had not been demanding increase in salaries instead they were asking for service structure.

It is important to write it here that Punjab Medical Association (PMA) has also been holding protest in the province in favor of the young doctors.

According to an estimate, the YDA is comprised more than thousand doctors in major cities of the province.

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Posted by Faisal Farooq on Jun 30 2012. Filed under Latest News, National, Pakistan. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.