LAHORE: Persistent closure of the outpatient departments at the state-run hospitals by the young doctors sparked agitation by patients, their relatives and the civil society.

The striking doctors faced an embarrassing situation on Saturday when scores of patients and their relatives agitated at three major hospitals of the city — Mayo Hospital, Services Hospital and Lahore General Hospital.

Some three dozen agitators including elderly men, women, children and patients gathered at Mayo Hospital and raised slogans against the health authorities. Some patients on stretchers also were brought to the venue as the protesters demanded criminal action against the doctors denying treatment.

The protesters termed the doctors’ attitude ‘inhuman’. The patients and their relatives demanded that the chief minister hand down exemplary punishment to the errant doctors.

Meanwhile, civil society activists also demonstrated against the doctors. Gathering under the banner of the Young Civil Society Pakistan (YCSP) outside the Lahore Press Club, they warned of a series of protests against the doctors for not restoring the healthcare services.

They also announced their full support to those doctors who were willing to provide treatment to the patients during ‘illegal’ strike.

YCSP convener Attif Mayo said the civil society would discharge duties voluntarily on Monday (tomorrow) at the hospitals along with the students of various government institutions.

Earlier, the striking doctors locked OPDs and demanded implementation of the service structure proposed by the medical organisations.