Punjab government considering doctors' demands sympathetically

The Punjab government has assured the Young Doctors' Association of considering the demands of doctors sympathetically and possible increase in their salaries in the next financial budget. Sardar Zulfiqar Ali Khan Khosa, Senior Advisor to the Chief Minister Punjab, gave the assurance during a meeting with the delegation of Young Doctors' Association here on Wednesday, disclosed an official.
MS Mayo Hospital Dr Zahid Pervaiz and Principals of medical colleges were also present on this occasion. The Senior Advisor stated that now it is the professional responsibility of doctors to call off the strike and resume their duties keeping in view the miseries of the poor patients. "If doctors, keeping in view their sacred profession, announce to start providing treatment to the patients, he is ready to arrange a meeting of doctors' delegation with the Chief Minister Punjab.
According to him, the government considers doctors' central pillar of health sector and wants to provide all possible facilities to them. Closure of emergency wards in the hospitals is negation of a sacred profession of doctors. People are very much disturbed over the strike of doctors continuing for more than a month, as a result of which they can also face the reaction of the people. It was decided in the meeting with doctors on March 16 to constitute a high level committee headed by Principal Nishtar Medical College Multan consisting of principals of all colleges and representatives of doctors. The government will make all possible efforts to implement the recommendations of this committee with regard to service structure of the doctors, he added.
On this occasion Punjab Chief Secretary Nasir Mahmood Khosa said the government wants to take along doctors for running the affairs of hospitals. "Their demand of pay protection has been accepted and the government will provide complete security to the doctors in the hospitals so that they could perform their duties in a peaceful atmosphere," he added.
On the assurance of increase in the salaries of doctors, Nasir Abbas, spokesman of Young Doctors' Association, thanked the Senior Advisor and added that after consultation with the office bearers of his Association, will announce positive steps in the interest of the patients.