IT seems that Lahore’s hospital corridors have turned into venues for shouting matches and ugly scuffles. Starting as a dispute between the Young Doctors Association and Punjab government over the absence of a proper and fair service structure a few years ago, a full-blown battle is now raging in the city’s public-sector hospitals. In the latest episode, a heart patient died at Mayo Hospital. The patient’s son blamed his death on the strike that had apparently been extended to previously off-limit areas such as emergency. Over time, a cohesive group of Young Doctors has been divided into factions and sub-factions. But if the ensuing clashes are the outcome of a government policy to deny doctors their due, as is claimed by some, the real price is being paid by the sick. A sadistic culture now prevails in Punjab’s government-run hospitals, particularly those in Lahore; it has left patients with no choice but to fend for themselves.

At the start of the Young Doctors’ movement for better wages and greater service privileges, many had sided with the protesting medics. But for some time now, the doctors have been deprived of much of the sympathy they once commanded. This is something that should worry them as should the evidence about the several splits in their organisation. They might go on complaining that they have been outmanoeuvred by a system run by wily operators. But the fact remains that their reputation will be further tarnished if they continue to indulge in violence and strikes of the sort that can lead to a disruption of even emergency services. Even now, their detractors are painting them as villains violating their oath. The doctors must try and remove the ordinary goons from the educated group pressing for its professional rights. They must sort out their differences with the government, refrain from coming to fisticuffs and ensure treatment is not denied to patients. Or else they will be looked upon as a cruel lot that has no regard for human life.

Published in Dawn, November 11th, 2016