LAHORE: Protesting against Shaikh Zayed Hospital administration’s action against some doctors, activists of the Young Doctors Association kept Canal Bank Road blocked for traffic near New Campus for two hours on Wednesday noon, causing great inconvenience to a large number of schoolchildren on way home from their educational institutions.

Joined by YDA activists from Jinnah and Services hospitals, young doctors also disrupted traffic on Khayaban-i-Jamia Punjab.

Patients visiting Shaikh Zayed Hospital continued facing inconvenience as the young doctors kept the outpatient department (OPD) locked for the sixth consecutive day on Wednesday and also hampered treatment at the indoor wards.

“We have been coming here for the past three days but are sent back by these doctors. We cannot afford treatment at private hospitals,” said a veiled woman pushing the wheelchair of her elderly father.

A youth complained that he was facing difficulties in taking his patient to the emergency ward as protesting doctors had blocked its main entrance.

An office-bearer of YDA’s SZH chapter, Dr Aamir, said the hospital administration was not taking interest in solving the genuine problems of the patients and the doctors.

“We have requested SZH Chairman Prof Kamran Hussain to order free treatment at the emergency ward. Owing to the ‘cumbersome’ procedure of registration and making payment first, the condition of many patients deteriorates and their attendants start quarrelling with us. The hospital administration has also failed to provide security to doctors,” Dr Aamir said.

He said instead of holding negotiations, the chairman had initiated disciplinary action against doctors and other staff members.

“We will continue with our protest till the acceptance of our demands,” he added.

Published in Dawn, December 13th, 2018