The young doctors on Saturday again boycotted outpatient departments (OPD) of different city hospitals against the induction policy of health department. A spokesman of the young doctors association said that they are protesting against the dictatorial policy of Punjab Health Department. He said the protest was also held in public sector hospitals throughout the province.
However, Provincial Minister for Specialised Healthcare & Medical Education Punjab Khawaja Salman Rafique claimed that following the strike call by a group of young doctors, 10 percent working in OPD was affected and the patients' turnover also remained slightly low.
The minister said the government has introduced the Punjab Residency Programme for post-graduate doctors to ensure a transparent and merit-based system in the admission of post-graduate recruits to provide opportunities for talented and deserving students to come forward. He further said that the Residency Admission Committee, after consultation with all the stakeholders, has already incorporated feasible and practicable proposals in the policy document, therefore, the protest and strike has become meaningless.