Young doctors call off strike, OPDs reopen across Rawalpindi

Rawalpindi: The Young Doctors Association (YDA) Rawalpindi chapter ended its 16-day strike on Thursday, with doctors returning to their duties and reopening the outdoor patients departments (OPDs).

The strike, which included nurses and paramedical staff, was held in protest against the Punjab government’s plan to outsource public hospitals in the province.

YDA Rawalpindi President Dr Aarif Aziz said that doctors from Holy Family Hospital, Benazir Bhutto Hospital, and Rawalpindi Teaching Hospital had called off the strike unconditionally, considering the current situation in the country.

“We hope the government will respond positively to our goodwill gesture by reinstating the doctors who were terminated,” he added.

Dr Aziz also said that young doctors are ready to help during any emergency and will work closely with hospital administrations if an emergency situation arises.

The strike had severely affected patient care at major hospitals in Rawalpindi, with thousands unable to access routine treatment during the protest.