The protest by young doctors in Punjab has entered its third consecutive day, disrupting medical services across major public hospitals. The strike, led by the Young Doctors Association (YDA), is in response to the proposed privatization of government hospitals in the province.
As part of their protest, doctors have shut down outpatient departments (OPDs) in key hospitals, including Services Hospital, Punjab Institute of Cardiology (PIC), Jinnah Hospital, General Hospital, and Children’s Hospital. This disruption has caused severe difficulties for patients, especially those who have traveled long distances for treatment.
Among those most affected are the elderly, women, and children, many of whom rely on government hospitals for affordable healthcare. With OPDs closed, only emergency departments are partially functioning, offering limited relief to the growing number of patients in need of medical attention.
The YDA has categorically opposed the privatization plan, arguing that it would result in expensive treatments beyond the reach of ordinary citizens. The association insists that the move would compromise access to healthcare for the underprivileged and deepen the inequality in the health sector.
Protest leaders have urged the government to withdraw any plans for privatization and instead focus on improving the existing public healthcare infrastructure. They argue that strengthening public hospitals is essential to ensuring equal access to medical care for all.
So far, discussions between government officials and representatives of the striking doctors have yielded little progress, with the deadlock continuing and no immediate resolution in sight.
