Strike claims girl`s life

RAWALPINDI: A 13-year old girl died at Benazir Bhutto Hospital on Thursday allegedly due to young doctors` strike. The thirteen-year-old Sana, a tetanus patient, was brought to emergency ward of Benazir Bhutto Hospital (BBH) in very serious condition but no doctor was available to see her, said the relatives of the girl. After crying with pain, Sana died in front of her beloved parents and other relatives. The relative took her body to their hometown Kalar Syedan in the afternoon. Young Doctors Association (YDA) Joint Secretary Dr Junaid Abbasi, however, termed the death of the girl the most unfortunate incident. Dr Abbasi said that it was the responsibility of the medical superintendent of the respective hospital to tell why this incident occurred and who was responsible for the negligence. He also held the Punjab government and BBH administration of the hospital responsible for the death of the girl, adding that had the government accepted their demands the situation would not have occurred. YDA Joint Secretary was of view that so far the doctors have tried their best to provide medical treatment to the patients. BBH Medical Superintendent Dr. Zaman Khan Niazi could not be reached as he neither picked up his cellphone nor replied to the message. Meanwhile, Young Doctors Association (YDA) on Thursday brought out a rally against Punjab government for not accepting their longstanding demands. Led by YDA Punjab Chairman Dr Muhammad Haroon, the rally was participated by more than 400 young doctors of District Headquarters (DHQ) Hospital, Benazir Bhutto Hospital (BBH) and Holy Family Hospital (HFH), medical students of Rawalpindi Medical College. The protesters were carrying banner inscribed with slogans against the government and in favour of their demands. Enraged doctors also chanted slogans against Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, Secretary Health Fawad Hassan Fawad and Parliamentary Secretary Health Saeed Ellahi. They blocked Fawara Chowk for traffic movement. The worst traffic jam was witnessed at Kashmiri Bazaar, Gunjmandi, Raja Bazaar, Iqbal Road, Jinnah Road and Liaquat Road. After one hour stay, the young doctors marched towards Rawalpindi Press Club.