The outpatient departments (OPDs) of public hospitals of the provincial metropolis literally kept the patients out of the hospitals owing to young doctors strike which entered its sixth day on Saturday.

The blatant denial of health facilities to the masses in sizzling weather and worst-ever power crisis forced the people to visit private clinics and even quacks. The people, like in the past, cursed young doctors and criticized the Punjab government for its inability to bridle the ever rebellious youngsters of the medical fraternity.
The strike has been causing immense hardships for patients and their attendants who, in thousands, visit the public hospitals on a daily basis across the province.
The OPDs of Mayo Hospital, Ganga Ram Hospital, Services Hospital, Jinnah Hospital and at other public health facilities remained shut for patients in the wake of strike by young doctors.
The young doctors have been demanding service structure while their boycott of duties at outdoor wards is a part of their pressure tactics to force the government to accept their demands but so far, the Punjab government is unmoved.
A number of meetings were held recently which remained inconclusive hence the masses continue to suffer.
So far, the senior doctors have failed to persuade the protesting young doctors to resume duties at the OPDs. Ironically and unfortunately, most of the protesting young doctors, who are least bothered to the sufferings faced by the people, are giving proper time at private health facilities.
The stakeholders have demanded the Punjab government to take stern action against the protesting doctors if their (doctors) demand is not genuine and unacceptable. They demanded that the services of young doctors be terminated forthwith and in their place new appointments be made as thousands of unemployed doctors are available for the job.
Meanwhile, it is learnt that the general body meeting of the Young Doctors Association (YDA) Punjab would be called soon to decide the future course of action vis-à-vis the Punjab government’s indifferent attitude regarding the ongoing protest.