Relief and expectations as doctors return

The parking lot was full at the Services Hospital Hostel, Lahore on Friday, as doctors rushed off to duty after 37 days of strike.

In Medical Unit 4, Dr Mujahid Israr, a post-graduate trainee in internal medicine was glad to be back with his patients and nursing staff

“When I reached my ward this morning, I was overwhelmed when one of my patients, who is diabetic and suffering from lung infection, got me flowers,” said Israr.

The calling off of the strike was a source of joy amongst his colleagues, said Israr, adding they were now more motivated to work. “The main issue for young doctors was the low salary packages and the major brain drain that was taking place,” explained YDA Punjab president Usman Dar.

“We were compelled to come on the roads for our demands,” he said.”Look at the lawyers’ movement or the PIA or KESC workers – this the only way the government listens,” he added.

The biggest thing the movement brought is dignity, he said.

“The prestige of being a doctor is finally being realised and doctors are now hoping for better health infrastructure,” he added,

For patients, the end of the strike has brought relief. Farooq Hussain, whose father was admitted at the Services Hospital with a broken hip, said the doctors were now providing extra care to his father.

Some patients also appeared sensitive to the doctors’ cause. Muhammed Ali Butt, whose father was admitted into Punjab Instituite of Cardiology, said “The [doctors] have the right, but we also need people to sacrifice and work for the greater good,” said Butt, adding that the government should have resolved the situation earlier.

At Ganga Ram, assistant professor of sugery Feroke Zara expressed hope that the committee constituted by Punjab chief minister will work towards resolving the issue for good.”This should be settled because we know that an adhoc solution will never work,” Zara added.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 9^th, 2011.