No more talks with govt body: YDA

LAHORE, April 28: The Young Doctors Association Punjab has announced 'Save Health Convention' on May 4. Speaking to the media at the Services Hospital on Thursday, association's provincial president Dr Hamid Butt invited all cadres of doctors, civil society, lawyers, schoolteachers, rights groups, NGOs and general public to the convention to put pressure on the government to increase doctors' salaries and resolve other health issues. Also, Butt announced end to the dialogue process with the 19-member committee headed by Senior Advisor to Chief Minister Sirdar Zulfiqar Khosa, saying that PML-N leaders who were part of the committee threatened association's office bearers and these threats led to agitation. He said the committee was using delaying tactics instead of solving doctors' problems. The PML-N leaders, who are part of the committee, have again backtracked from their promise of giving pay raise to doctors immediately, he said, adding that doctors were being humiliated. "Now YDA office bearers will meet Shahbaz Sharif only," Butt said. He said doctors would show their strength through the convention and give a message to the government that YDA would not surrender till acceptance of its demands.To a question, he said the venue of the convention would be decided soon. Dr Abubakar Gondal and Dr Nasir Bukhari were also present. — Staff Reporter