KASUR: Up to 62 doctors of the Baba Bulleh Shah Hospital (BBSH), formerly known as the Kasur District Headquarters Hospital, went on strike against the alleged inappropriate conduct of the medical superintendent (MS), resulting in the closure of the outpatient department on Thursday.

MS Dr Farooq Ahmed, however, said the BBSH was in the grip of mafia that run their clinics and drew salaries from the hospital. He said whenever they were asked to perform duty, they would go on strike.

He added that two sergeons at the hospital performed only three surgeries in the last three years and when they were asked to serve the poor patients at the hospital, they turned hostile to him and resorted to strike. He lamented that the people were suffering while the doctors were on strike for their vested interests.

On the other hand, protesting doctors submitted their resignations to the deputy commissioner and vowed to continue their strike until the transfer of the MS.

A delegation from the Young Doctors Association (YDA) Punjab Chapter, led by Dr Muhammad Haseeb, met with Primary and Secondary Health Secretary Ali Jan and expressed their support for the doctors in Kasur.

A delegation from YDA Kasur Chapter, led by Dr Tahir Shaheen, met with DC Arshad Bhatti and later with Special Secretary of Primary and Secondary Health Rashid Irshad. They voiced their concern over the deteriorating situation at the BBSH, which they attributed to MS Dr Farooq Ahmed’s rude conduct.

YDA President Dr Shaheen alleged that Dr Ahmed held two positions simultaneously and was also in charge of the AIDS Programme in Lahore. It was alleged that on Aug 14, Dr Ahmed collected Rs30,000 from each doctor for “decorating the hospital building”.

Published in Dawn, October 6th, 2023