Desperate Patients Seek Treatment at Private Hospitals as YDA Strike Continues

APP

DI Khan: The Young Doctors Association’s (YDA) strike continued for the fourth consecutive day, leaving patients at the District Headquarters (DHQ) hospital, Mufti Mehmood Hospital, and Zanana (women) hospital in dire straits.

The strike, which began over the suspension of a young doctor, Dr Shehryar, has resulted in the suspension of elective services, including outpatient departments, at all three major hospitals in the district.

YDA DI Khan President Dr Adil Wazir told APP that the strike was triggered by the unjustified suspension of Dr Shehryar. Dr Wazir added that four other doctors, Dr Idrees, Dr Sana, Dr Javeria, and another doctor, have also been suspended since the strike began.

It is to mention here that the YDA is demanding the immediate reinstatement of the suspended doctors and has threatened to escalate the strike if its demands are not met.

The strike has caused immense hardship for patients, many of whom have traveled from far-flung areas of Dera Ismail Khan and other districts. Patients are now forced to seek treatment at private hospitals, which are often unaffordable for many.

He said their colleagues were suspended without any warning or investigation.

Replying to a question, he said the negotiations were underway with the administration. About their demands, he said the suspension orders of their colleagues must be reversed, as must the replacement of the Head of Department (HoD) of the medical ward, Dr Ehsan, who is nearing his retirement.

He said that they were also in contact with Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa YDA, and some of their representatives will be reaching out to DI Khan to discuss their further plan of action.

He warned that the domain of their strike would be extended across the province if their demands were not fulfilled.

Replying to another question about the sufferings of poor patients, he said they could feel the pain of patients, and they were dealing with them at the emergency department. However, he said, they had no other option except to protest to fulfil their demands.

When contacted, Medical Director at MTI DHQ Dr Farukh Jamil said that a 5–6 member negotiation committee had been formed to resolve the issue.

He said the committee would listen to the Medical Ward HoD, Dr Ehsan, and the protesting doctors. All the genuine demands of the YDA would be fulfilled, and the issue would be resolved by tomorrow, he hoped.