Latest news with #YoungDoctorsAssociation
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
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.
Express Tribune
21-04-2025
- Health
- Express Tribune
YDA postpones protest on health secretary's assurance
The Young Doctors Association (YDA) at Jinnah Hospital decided to postpone the protest after meeting the Health Secretary. The association was assured of positive progress on their demands. Young doctors had warned they would close OPDs if their demands were not met. They protested against the dismissal of Dr Yasin Imrani and other demands and held a white coat dignity march. Chairman YDA, talking to the media, said that the health secretary assured them that the decision to dismiss Dr Yaseen would be reversed, those involved in the Medical ICU incident would be arrested, and the FIRs filed against doctors would be withdrawn. The Young Doctors said that if these promises are fulfilled by night, the OPDs will be opened as usual tomorrow. However, YDA at Jinnah Hospital split into two groups. One group announced to end the protest by accepting the orders of the secretary, while the other group ignored the orders, shut down OPDs, and continued the White Coat Dignity March.
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Express Tribune
09-04-2025
- Health
- Express Tribune
Kundi urges action to tackle healthcare crisis
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi on Wednesday expressed deep concern over the lack of basic medical facilities for the province's population of over 40 million, stressing the need for collective efforts to address the issue. The remarks were made during a Health Policy Conference held at the Governor House in connection with World Health Day. The event was organized by the Peoples Doctors Forum and attended by Governor Kundi as the chief guest. The conference drew participation from prominent figures including former Federal Minister Arbab Alamgir, President of the Peoples Doctors Forum Dr Janbaz Afridi, Dr Fakhruddin, Dr Bahr Karam Yousafzai, Dr Sarfaraz Khan Afridi, Dr Zahir Shah, Dr Karim Khawaja, as well as representatives from the Provincial Doctors Association, Young Doctors Association, and medical professionals from across Pakistan and abroad. During the session, prayers were offered for the speedy recovery of President Asif Ali Zardari and for the elevation of the ranks of the late Senator Taj Haider. Speakers shared a range of recommendations to improve the healthcare system in the province. They discussed current challenges, patient care issues, and proposed comprehensive policy reforms. In his address, Governor Kundi expressed concern over the persistent lack of basic healthcare services despite the provincial government allocating Rs 232 billion for the health sector. He noted ongoing issues such as inadequate hospital care, shortages of medicines and doctors, lack of hospital beds, and difficulties in accessing the Insaf Health Card. He highlighted that the situation in rural areas is particularly dire, with preventable diseases such as childbirth complications, hepatitis, tuberculosis, heart disease, and diabetes claiming hundreds of lives each year. Governor Kundi emphasized the urgent need for improving healthcare infrastructure, pointing out that while international organizations recommend allocating 510% of a country's GDP to health, Pakistan's spending remains below 3%.
