Young Doctors Association calls off strike in Islamabad

Federal Health Sec, Nargis Sethi talks with media after launching of polio campaign at Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in Islamabad on Tuesday, April 05, 2011. – Photo by PPI

ISLAMABAD: Young Doctors Association (YDA) called off their strike in the Federal Capital’s hospitals after holding successful marathon talks with Secretary Health Nargis Sethi here on Tuesday.
“All young doctors will resume their work and attend the patients at out-patients department (OPD) in Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) and Federal Government Poly Clinic (FGPC) from tomorrow,” President of YDA Islamabad Chapter Dr Sajjid Abbasi told APP after meeting with the Secretary Health.
He said that the Federal Government had expressed its willingness to resolve the problems of young doctors and considered the YDA’s demands as genuine.
He said that the Secretary Health had assured to address the issues of contractual doctors and service structure while regarding pay structure she promised to discuss this issue with the Finance Ministry for a positive solution.
He said the Secretary Health also assured that the notification would be issued within a week. She apprised the doctors’ delegation that the Prime Minister was serious in resolution of genuine problems of doctors community.
He said the three major demands of the striking doctors included regularization of contractual doctorive of every political party could guide voters, he added.
Speaking on the occasion, former secretary election commission, Kanwar Dilshad said that except 1988 elections, the turn-out rate remained between 30 to 38 percent in different elections held in the country.
He said that election commission has forwarded its recommendations to the government for improving electoral process which included that all the bills of election expenditure would be paid through bank draft or checque so that the whole transaction would be on record.
He informed that election commission has also suggested that the code of conduct should be part of election laws.
He noted that the election commission also recommended that 63-A should be made compulsory for the candidates of President which was previously excluded during the regime of former president Pervez Musharraf.
He further said that election commission has also asked that a bankrupt person should not be eligible to contest elect. He said that talented people from all walks of life especially middle class should be encouraged to join politics.
He also asked for ensuring democratic norms within the political parities which would result in overall change in the society.
Spokesman Pakistan Muslim League (N) Sadiq Al-Farooq said that absence of continuity of democratic system in the country is the root-cause of all the evils in the society. He was of the view that superior judiciary is working independently in the country which would bring about a positive change but these steps are required to strengthen institutions in the country.
Chairman Liberal Froum Pakistan (LFP), Anees Jillani presented welcome address on the occasion.