The Young Doctors Association (YDA) Punjab on Sunday called off its hunger strike, after a meeting with Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif in Model Town.
YDA Punjab spokesperson Nasir Bokhari said “Shahbaz Sharif has been a father figure to us… the measures taken by Punjab government over the past four and a half years for the welfare of young doctors are unprecedented.”
He said that the sad incident at Gujranwala where young doctors attacked a medical superintendent and were beaten has brought bad name to the medical community. He said young doctors apologise for it.
YDA Punjab Patron-in-Chief Hamid said the Punjab government’s efforts for the welfare of doctors were ‘unmatched’. YDA Mayo Hospital Chapter president Usman Dar said that chief minister was kind to everyone and had adopted effective policies for the development of health sector.
A statement issued by the chief minister’s office said “Young doctors presented bouquets to the chief Minister.
The strike ended formally with Shahbaz Sharif offering juice to the protestors who accepted.”
Senator Pervaiz Rashid, chief minister’s Special Assistant on Health Khawaja Salman Rafique, the health secretary, King Edward Medical College University Vice Chancellor Faisal Masood and the health director general were present in the meeting.
A committee, including doctors’ representatives headed by Senator Pervaiz Rasheed, was formed to consider free provision of medicines in hospitals, repair of out of order equipment, improvement of healthcare system and problems faced by the doctors. The committee is to submit its recommendations by February 25.
YDA Punjab Media Secretary Khurrum Shehzad told The Express Tribune that terminations and transfers ordered since the Gujranwala incident will be reversed.
He said young doctors’ complaint of victimisation at Gujranwala will also be redressed. “All issues have been settled amicably,” he added.
The chief minister said that his government had agreed to beer an additional 9billion burden in revising the salaries of doctors, paramedical staff and nurses. He said that the raises in the salaries of doctors were unprecedented.
Rashid said that many doctors serving had been regularised and their salaries revised.
Rafique said that young doctors can play an important role in the improvement of healthcare system.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 18th, 2013.