Govt-doctors talks fail, 150 army doctors to perform duties
01 July, 2012
RAWALPINDI: After the inflexible attitude of the Young Doctors to perform their duty and end the miseries of the patients, Punjab government has decided to call off talks with young doctors. Army medical corps has been called to perform duties in public hospitals. The leaves of all the doctors have been cancelled in the province. ISPR has confirmed that 150 doctors have been sent to perform duties on the request of Punjab government in view of extreme sufferings of the patients. These doctors would perform duties in uniform. Army doctors will only provide medical consultancy while administration of hospitals would continue to remain the responsibility of the provincial government, the ISPR said in a statement. Young doctors ignored Punjab government's move to invoke the Essential Services Act, as they observed a strike and boycotted duties at the Outdoor Patient Departments (OPDs) of public hospitals on the 13th consecutive day on Saturday. The Punjab government on Thursday night had invoked the Essential Services Act for a period of one month in a bid to ensure uninterrupted healthcare for the poor patients. However the young doctors blatantly ignoring the warning continued their protest. The government is also considering canceling the licenses of the striking doctors. It has been learnt that the government has decided not to bow to the striking doctors' demands. The Health Department has claimed that some of the striking doctors have contacted and expressed willingness to get back to work. The young doctors vowed they will continue their strike till the formation of service structure and threatened to shut emergency if demands not met. Meanwhile, the provincial government has also appointed four hundred fifty four new lady doctors who will take charge from July 2. End.
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