The Young Doctors Association (YDA) Punjab led a boycott of the Outdoor Patient Departments (OPDs) at three government hospitals in Rawalpindi on Friday.
The protest was against the Punjab government’s proposal to outsource public sector hospitals in the province.
The OPDs remained closed, leaving many patients unattended. Hospital staff directed patients to emergency departments, causing overcrowding. Many patients had to leave without treatment.
In Rawalpindi, the YDA at Benazir Bhutto Hospital (BBH) organized a large convention and protest walk against the outsourcing plan. The event saw participation from YDA office bearers, house officers, postgraduates, nursing staff, paramedics, and other hospital employees.
YDA BBH President Dr. Aarif Aziz, speaking at the gathering, described the protest as a “war of survival.” He warned that outsourcing would end free treatment for the public, commercialize medical education, and economically harm hospital employees. “We will not accept this policy under any circumstances,” he said.
Other YDA leaders, including Chairman Dr. Fakhar Munir Sial, Vice President Dr. Muhammad Raees, and General Secretary Dr. Muhammad Rizwanullah, also voiced strong opposition to the government’s plan.
The YDA warned that if the government does not cancel the outsourcing, protests will grow and a full strike may be called across Punjab.
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