LAHORE, Jan 16: Young doctors observed strike on Wednesday at the OPDs of all state-run hospitals of the province to press the government for the withdrawal of criminal case lodged against their colleagues in connection with the Gujranwala incident.

The strike was observed on the call of the Young Doctors Association, Punjab, despite imposition of the Essential Services Act by the health department.

The YDA office-bearers, however, announced continuation of the protest till the acceptance of their demands.

They also asked for an impartial inquiry into the incident relating to the torture of the Gujranwala DHQ Hospital medical superintendent and senior medics by young doctors.

On Wednesday morning, the young doctors shut down OPDs of the teaching hospitals. Patients were denied access to OPDs by the YDA activists present there.

They, however, asked patients to visit medical camps set up by the YDA outside the OPDs.

According to the information gleaned from various teaching hospitals, a large number of patients returned without getting treatment as the camps were set up at a few hospitals only.

Meanwhile, the administrations of the government hospitals prepared fresh lists of the young doctors, who remained absent from duties during strike, and sent to the health department for action against them. The department has decided to take action against three doctors belonging to Services, Mayo and Children’s hospitals for creating hurdles in the provision of healthcare to patients.

Action would be taken against them under PEEDA Act.