LAHORE - The Young Doctors Association Punjab called off strike on Wednesday following the partial acceptance of their demands, returning normalcy at OPDs of major hospitals across the province.
Young doctors stayed away from OPDs of major hospitals for nine days to press for the demands of roadmap for service structure implementation, allowing PPSC selected MOs/WMOs to continue post graduation training, stipend for 500 unpaid PG trainees and improvement of security at hospitals. The strike at OPDs caused huge difficulties to patients and their families. The YDA called off strike after the government assured to accept one of the major demands and allowed PPSC selected MOs/WMOs to continue post graduation training without pay.
Addressing a press conference at Mayo Hospital, YDA Punjab President Dr Ajmal Rao, Spokesperson Dr Amer Bandesha and others said that the strike had been called off after the government accepted the demand of allowing PPSC selected MOs/WMOs to continue PG training. They said that the YDA would continue peaceful protest till acceptance of other demands. They said that their strategy in future would be devised after Eid-ul-Fitr, if the government failed to address important issues. Dr Ajmal Rao said that the government was not taking measures for improving security at hospitals and service structure had yet to be implemented.
He warned of a strong protest after Ramazan, conditional to non acceptance of their legitimate demands.
Dr Amer Bandesha said that over 500 PG trainees were working without pay, which was not less than injustice to competent and hardworking doctors.