RAWALPINDI, June 20: The outdoor patient departments at the three allied hospitals remained closed for third consecutive day on Wednesday due to strike by young doctors.

The strike call has been given by Young Doctors Association (YDA) to press the provincial government to improve service structure for  doctors.

YDA Punjab chairman Dr Mohammad Haroon said talks between the doctors’ representatives and Punjab government in Lahore on Tuesday remained unproductive as the YDA office-bearers did not accept the surety given by the health secretary regarding improvement of their service structure. After failure of talks, the doctors decided to continue the strike.

However, patients suffered  despite claims  by hospitals’ administration that they were being seen in emergency departments. Professors and senior doctors were not seen at the emergency departments to look after patients.

At the hospitals’ receptions, officials issued slips to accident and serious patients but turned away those coming to the OPDs. The officials requesting not to be named said they had been instructed by doctors to give slips to serious patients only. They said professors and senior doctors were patronising young doctors as they would also get benefits.

When contacted, Rawalpindi Medical College Principal Prof Mussadiq Khan said hospitals had deputed medical officers at the emergency to deal with OPD patients. He said he got information that the health department and YDA Punjab would reach an agreement soon, adding that patients’ suffering would end in one or two days.—A Reporter