MULTAN, Oct 8: A patient lost his life here on Monday after doctors at Nishtar Hospital refused to provide him with medical treatment following a clash with attendants of another patient who died because of the alleged negligence of the doctors.

The doctors and paramedical staff closed the emergency ward after Abdul Samad, a resident of Lakkar Mandi, who was brought to the hospital with serious head injuries, succumbed to his wounds.

Samad was shifted to Radiology Department for his CT Scan but the machine was out of order and he lost his life during shifting to a private CT Scan centre.

His family held doctors responsible for his death. They smashed windowpanes of surgical and medical floors of emergency ward, forcing doctors and paramedical staff to move away. Doctors announced boycott of emergency services that resulted into the death of Muhammad Asad, a resident of Vehari.

Later, doctors resumed duties at emergency ward.

Medical Superintendent Dr Javed Umer denied the report of death of a patient because of doctors’ strike, saying that senior doctors continued to provide treatment to patients at emergency ward.

YDA and Pakistan Medical Association demanded immediate arrest of the protesters who allegedly opened fire on doctors.