Two more die as YDA strike continues

LAHORE/FAISALABAD: Two more patients died in Faisalabad on Tuesday due to the on-going strike by the young doctors across the Punjab, Geo News reported.

According to the sources, Young Doctors Association (YDA) strike continued for the 16th consecutive day resulting in two more deaths at Faisalabad Institute of Cardiology. The toll now stands at 12.

Twenty-five out of thirty-one protesting young doctors have resumed their duties at Gujranwala’s DHQ Hospital. DCO Chaudhry Ameen told that the services of Pakistan Army doctors are not being utilised after the return of young doctors to their duties.

Eighteen young doctors also resumed duties at Nishtar Hospital, Multan. Sources told that at least 1,000 young doctors are on strike in Multan. Seven fresh doctors also joined the Sheikh Zayed Hospital in Rahim Yar Khan.

Patients in Toba Tek Singh are facing severe difficulties after the doctors of all basic health centres were posted in Faisalabad.

The doctors at the government hospitals in Sargodha observed strike against torture on doctors in Lahore while others protested in Vihari and observed symbolic strike in Gilgit-Baltistan.

On the other hand, three doctors including the vice president of Pakistan Medical Association (PMA)-Punjab, Dr Iftikhar were arrested from Bahawalpur Victoria Hospital.