Young doctors and nurses went on strike against the arrests of doctors in Sahiwal and a nurse in Khanewal, leading to the closure of Outdoor Patient Departments (OPDs) in several hospitals in Lahore and Faisalabad on Thursday.
According to the 24NewsHD TV channel, all organizations of young doctors, nurses, and paramedical staff joined the strike and ceased work in the OPDs of government hospitals.
At Jinnah Hospital in Lahore, outdoor wards are closed, and no slips are being issued to patients.
As per the channel report, the unscheduled strike by doctors and nurses in OPDs has deprived hundreds of patients of treatment.
Although the Young Doctors Association (YDA) and other organizations of nurses or paramedics did not call for a protest rally or demonstration, there is a police presence at Jinnah Hospital.
In Faisalabad, young doctors also stopped working in OPDs to protest the arrests of doctors and a nurse, demanding their early release.
Due to the strike in Faisalabad, patients who travel from far away face significant difficulties.
Many expressed frustration with the frequent strikes by doctors, urging the government to take action against the striking doctors.
On the call of young doctors in Sahiwal, the OPD of the teaching hospital has closed and announced they will stop working in the OPD until their demands are met.
Young doctors demanded the reinstatement of the suspended Medical Superintendent Dr Mehboob Akhtar and the release of the arrested Dr Umar from their hospital.
They also demanded the release of the arrested nurse from Khanewal's Teaching Hospital.
Demanding an impartial inquiry into the matter, the striking doctors and nurses also announced that the strike would continue until an apology from Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz and Secretary for Health Ali Jan.
They also demand the suspension of the DPO Sahiwal and the Deputy Commissioner for their anti-social behaviour.
Reporters: Arbaz Khan, Khalid Chaudhry and Azadar Hussain