PESHAWAR: The Young Doctors Association has welcomed the statement of PTI chairman Imran Khan wherein he has directed the provincial government to hold talks with the medics for resolution of their problems.

However, the association has asked the chief of ruling PTI to condemn police action against the protesting doctors at Hayatabad Medical Complex.

“We have been supporting the reforms programme launched by the PTI government in health sector but want Imran Khan to lend us a receptive ear about our genuine problems,” YDA president Dr Gulab Noor told Dawn. He said that they also postponed strike at Khyber Teaching Hospital on Tuesday as goodwill gesture.

YDA welcomes statement of PTI chief about holding talks to resolve problems

On June 17, Imran Khan uploaded a video message on social media, describing doctors as highly respected people and said that he was unhappy over their protests on roads. He also asked them to sit with the provincial government to resolve their problems.

“We don’t want clash with doctors and want the minister health and doctors to sit together and resolve their issues through give and take policy. We are ready to do anything except the reversal of the health reforms programmes in the province. We cannot roll back reforms because I have campaigned on the basis of our commitment that we would replace the 40-year-old rotten healthcare system and will give better facilities to people,” Mr Khan said in the video.

He said that they wanted to run the hospitals in line with the international practices. He said that they had promised the people to correct the system.

“Your profession is very dignified and don’t play into the hands of a small mafia, who wanted to accomplish their own agenda. There will be no compromise on our reform programme and we would never get blackmailed by people, who want to pursue their vested interests,” he said.

“If you (YDA) collect the corrupt politicians and members of small mafia group from all over Pakistan, there would be no looking back on reforms. Making policies isn’t job of doctors but it is the domain of the elected government,” said the PTI chief.

He said that government-run hospitals were in bad condition and they would bring reforms even if they lose the government in the province. “Don’t bring the noble profession of medicine to disrepute but serve the people,” he said.

Dr Gulab Noor also praised Imran Khan’s remarks but said that he should have condemned police action against doctors.

“We haven’t received any invitation from government for talks and would appreciate if the health department invites for meeting the genuine representatives of doctors,” he said.

He said that YDA was the true representative of young doctors, most of whom were pursuing their postgraduate studies and wanted the government to stay away from steps that would adversely impact medical education.

“We staunchly oppose the government’s decision of devolving the postgraduate medical institute (PGMI) and demand that its central status should be retained to improve postgraduate training of the doctors and produce quality specialists,” said Dr Gulab Noor.

He said that government was claiming that a summary for compensation to five of their dead colleagues was being approved but they want a clear directive in that regard. “We would accept offer of talks only with our people. There are other groups of doctors, who claim to be representatives of doctors but actually they are not,” he added.

Published in Dawn, June 20th, 2017