RAWALPINDI, Oct 25: Young doctors of Benazir Bhutto Hospital (BBH) and Holy Family Hospital on Saturday refused to work and vowed they would lock the hospitals on Monday. They were demanding increase in salary, promotions and on job security for their colleagues.

The Young Doctors Association (YDA) has given province-wide strike call for Monday to press the government for acceptance of their demands.

Chief Coordinator YDA at the BBH Dr Sherin M K Yousafzai told Dawn on Saturday that the Rawalpindi hospitals doctors would also go on strike on Monday.

“We would lock the hospitals including the outpatient departments (OPDs) on Monday and would hold peaceful protests. Any interference by the police would not be tolerated,” Dr Yousafzai said.

He lashed out at the government for not providing security to the doctors and quoted a recent incident in which his colleague Dr Yasir was mercilessly beaten up by attendants at the BBH. He regretted that the hospital’s administration did not even offer sympathies to the young physician.

“We feel insecure and we must be provided protection during duty hours. We are not being given better pay and working conditions are also poor,” Dr Sherin who is also chairman of the action committee of doctors added.

“We are not being paid properly. We have no entitlements, no security and no other facilities. We have unanimously decided to launch a series of protest until the government accepts our legitimate demands,” Mr Yousafzai said.