Strike of Young Doctors entered the 29th day in Punjab

MULTAN,March 29th: A complete strike was observed by doctors in the out patient department (OPD) of Nishtar Hospital, Civil Hospital, Fatima Jinnah Hospital and Children Complex on Tuesdayday in demand of raise in their salaries.This was the 29th consecutive day of their complete strike on the appeal of young doctors association (YDA) during which doctors fully avoided to attend the patients.Though Punjab Government has assured the doctors that their salaries would be increased in next financial budget with effect from July Ist,2011 yet they are not ready to call off their strike.Member of Punjab as well as National Assembly also assured that they will play every possible role to fulfilling their genuine demands and said that they will hold its meeting with health officials within 48 hours to discuss this issue.They added that this matter will also be raised in the house. To grab the attention of the authorities concerned, the doctors carrying placards gathered in front of administration block ofNishtar Hospital today and demanded to resolve their problems.Addressing the protesters, President of PMA Dr.Shahid Rao, President of YDA Dr. Khurram urged the government to regularize the services of contract doctors working in the federal government hospitals.He said YDA Multan Chapter has decided to start complete boycott of Out Patients Department (OPD) and operations theaters (OTs) of Nishtar for indefinite period to press the authorities to fulfil their demands.He said only emergency operations will be done while young doctors will remain on duty in all wards of the hospital.He said the concerned authority is least interested in resolution of doctors' problems and urged to resolve their demands as early as possible so that doctors could do their job with satisfaction.He said that the YDA's ongoing strike in all major cities will continue and doctors will wear black bands on their arms as a token of protest.
Dr Khurram said the government has been asked to revise pay scale and salary structure of the doctors with sufficient raise in their salaries upto Rs 35,000 of House Officer, Rs 80,000 for Postgraduate trainee doctor, Rs 120,000 salary for Senior Registrar, Rs 200,000 for Assistant Professor and Rs 300,000 for full Professor.