Latest news with #YDA
Campaign ME
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Campaign ME
Moreish's Rouba Asmar joins Young Director Award as Middle East Ambassador
The Young Director Award (YDA), one of the most important fringe events at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, attracting more than 400 participants and over 900 spectators every year, is expanding its reach with a stronger presence in the Middle East. Joining the YDA Ambassadors Advisory Board is Rouba Asmar, Founder and Executive Producer at Moreish, who will represent the region as part of YDA's mission to champion the next generation of filmmakers worldwide. Founded in 1998 by CFP-E (the Federation of Advertising Production Associations across Europe) under then-President François Chilot, the Young Director Award stems from the philosophy that 'talent is the driving force behind great filmmaking'. What sets YDA apart is its singular focus: debuting directors. It's built on the idea that powerful creative voices can come from anywhere, they just need the right stage. This is where Rouba's new role finds deep relevance. This ambassadorship aims to be more than an exciting milestone; it's a chance to help shift the spotlight onto the Middle East, a region rich in culture, energy and stories that deserve to be heard around the world. 'We have extraordinary stories in the Middle East, and extraordinary people ready to tell them,' Asmar said. 'What we need are the right platforms, the right community, and a mindset that celebrates directorial vision not just execution. I believe YDA can help accelerate that change.' Beyond awarding talent, YDA's purpose is to give emerging filmmakers a platform where they can be seen and celebrated by leading industry figures from all over the world. As it gears up for its 28th edition this June in Cannes, YDA is looking to welcome more voices from the Middle East in the future, and Asmar's involvement is key to making that happen. 'Our mission has always been to discover and elevate emerging talent and foster new perspectives in storytelling,' says François Chilot, Founder and President of YDA. 'Culture shapes the way we see the world, and that diversity is filmmaking's greatest gift.' In her new role, Asmar will work closely with regional film schools, cultural institutions, and creative communities to build bridges and open doors for fresh talent. Future plans include film screenings, networking events, and initiatives designed to inspire the next generation of Middle Eastern filmmakers, and help them take their place on the global stage.
Hans India
30-04-2025
- Health
- Hans India
Patients in despair as doctors protest against govt in Pakistan's Rawalpindi
Rawalpindi: The ongoing doctors' strike at all three major government hospitals in Pakistan's Rawalpindi left thousands of patients distressed in the city. The Young Doctors Association (YDA) have been on strike since last week in protest against the Punjab government's plan to outsource public hospitals. The protesting doctors boycotted the Outpatient Departments (OPDs) services at Holy Family Hospital (HFH), Benazir Bhutto Hospital (BBH), and Rawalpindi Teaching Hospital (RTH) Raja Bazaar on the call of the YDA Punjab, according to local media reports. The protest brought OPD services to a standstill as patients at the three hospitals continue to suffer. The officials from the divisional administration visited the hospitals but reportedly did little to engage the Young Doctors Association (YDA) to resume services at the OPDs, Pakistani newspaper Dawn reported, quoting sources. The patients at Rawalpindi Teaching Hospital criticised the strike, saying that the government had failed to provide better healthcare despite its claims, adding that doctors often go on strike every month. "Mostly the poor come to government-run hospitals for medical treatment, but there are no facilities here," said Riaz Khan, a patient at BBH. Speaking to Dawn, YDA BBH President Aarif Aziz said that Tuesday marked the ninth day of the YDA's OPD strike in Rawalpindi's three major teaching hospitals, but neither the divisional administration nor the hospital administration had contacted them. "This protest is not about salaries. It is solely against the outsourcing of hospitals. We will not allow the privatisation of healthcare. If hospitals are outsourced, poor patients will be deprived of affordable treatment," he said. "Our struggle is for public welfare and the protection of government institutions. The OPD strike will continue until the government formally ends the outsourcing plan," he further added. Meanwhile, young doctors across Punjab shut down operation theatres of many government hospitals on Tuesday after the police uprooted the protest camp of employees of the state-run health facilities. The police lodged an FIR against 200-300 protesters, allegedly for attacking police and injuring some of the personnel. Speaking to the media on Tuesday, YDA Pakistan president Dr Atif Majeed condemned Police FIRs against the employees of the government hospitals, and claimed that they were protesting peacefully for their "legitimate demands." Local media reported that last week, YDA's Punjab chapter announced the shutdown of Lahore by staging sit-ins on all the main roads of the provincial capital in a bid to force the Punjab government to review the decision of outsourcing the state-run health facilities in the province.
Express Tribune
26-04-2025
- Health
- Express Tribune
Patients suffer as medics' strike drags on
The ongoing protest cum strike of young doctors, nurses and paramedical staff against the privatisation of all major government hospitals and medium and small health facilities entered into seventh consecutive day on Friday, paralysing the healthcare system at the cost of patients across the Rawalpindi district. Due to an 'extreme financial crisis', all major government hospitals, Basic Health Units (BHUs), and Rural Health Centres (RHCs) face imminent privatisation. With Outpatient Departments (OPDs) and ward services completely shut down, the healthcare system across the district has become entirely paralysed. Three of Rawalpindi's oldest and largest public hospitalsHoly Family Hospital, Benazir Bhutto General Hospital, and District Headquarters Hospitalhave reportedly been listed for potential sale. With OPDs and ward services suspended, many citizens have begun transferring their patients from public to private hospitals. The number of patients in government hospital wards has drastically declined, and OPDs are nearly empty. Senior doctors, including professors and department heads, have tacitly expressed full support for the Young Doctors Association (YDA)-led strike and are silently facilitating it. Even doctors, professors, nurses, and paramedics aligned with the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) have rejected the Punjab Chief Minister's policy to privatise public hospitals, labelling it anti-patient. The Punjab government, health department, and district administration have completely failed to bring the strike to an end. Doctors, nurses, and paramedics have declared that they will not call off the strike until the government officially cancels the privatisation of hospitals, BHUs, and RHCs. Emergency services remain open, and healthcare professionals are fulfilling their duties there. On Friday, a complete strike continued at all major hospitals in Rawalpindi, including the Tehsil Headquarters Hospitals (THQs) across the district. The YDA also led protests and a boycott at allied hospitals under the provincial government in Rawalpindi. Doctors, nurses, and paramedics participated in the demonstrations, criticising the government's health policy. Protesters held placards and banners with slogans opposing the privatisation of public hospitals and primary health centres. In protest, doctors boycotted OPDs and ward services and took to the streets. This caused significant difficulty for patients at state hospitals. Attempts by hospital administrations to convince the YDA to end the boycott proved unsuccessful. Dr Arif Aziz, the president of the YDA at Benazir Bhutto Hospital, said that emergency and indoor services at the three hospitals are still operational, but the government must reverse its decision on hospital privatisation. He warned that if demands are not met, the boycott could expand to other departments. A citizen, Haji Nasir Fayyaz, who was seen taking his hospitalised son home from Benazir Bhutto Hospital, said, "My son was admitted for days, but no doctor or nurse came to check on him. I'm left with no choice but to discharge him and take him to a private hospital."
Express Tribune
25-04-2025
- Health
- Express Tribune
Clash between YDA groups leaves three injured
A clash between two factions of the Young Doctors Association (YDA) at the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC) left three injured while the police have detained several doctors from both the groups. In the incident two doctors and a security officer were injured during the altercation. The conflict stemmed from Dr. Yaseen's transfer and a previous incident on April 18, in which family members of a patient assaulted doctors. In response, Dr. Farrukh Rauf's group protested by staging a demonstration in front of the administration block and completely boycotting the OPD. The protesting doctors rejected assurances from the Sindh Health Department and demanded action against those responsible for the April 18 attack on medical staff. On the other hand, Dr Ammar Danish's group opted to cooperate with the hospital administration, based on the assurances from the Health Secretary, and resumed OPD services. The hospital administration appointed Deputy Director and In-charge Adil Samo to oversee the full restoration of the OPDs. However, attempts to mediate between the two groups led to further clashes.
Express Tribune
22-04-2025
- Health
- Express Tribune
Young doctors threaten to go on strike
Young Doctors Association (YDA) Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa chapter has warned of boycott across the province if the provincial government does not improve working conditions of medical graduates and increase their salaries. Addressing a presser, YDA K-P president Dr Hafeez Orakzai highlighted several issues, including the lack of basic facilities in major hospitals, the flawed health card system, and the increased professional tax on doctors from 30 to 80 percent. He also pointed out that the Public Service Commission has not made recruitment of doctors for the past six years, and merit-based doctors are being ignored in favor of those with political connections. Dr Hafiz demanded that house job salaries be increased, doctors' salaries be raised, and timely promotions be ensured. He also requested that professional people be included in the board of governors and that internal hostels be established in medical colleges to provide accommodation for doctors. Furthermore, he demanded that house officers be paid and provided with specialization slots. The YDA president paid tribute to the dedication of doctors during the COVID-19 pandemic, earthquakes, and floods, but lamented that they are not being recognized or rewarded. He requested that doctors who lost their lives during the pandemic be given the Shaheed package, and the COVID-19 funds be utilized for their intended purpose. Dr Hafiz warned that if their demands are not met, the YDA will be forced to shut down all hospitals in Khyber- Pakhtunkhwa and continue their protest until the health minister resigns. He urged the government to release funds for doctors and meet their demands to avoid a confrontation.
