(Publish from Houston Texas USA)
(By Muhammad Mansoor Mumtaz, Lahore)
The Young Doctors Association (YDA), Mayo Hospital Lahore, has expressed grave concern and strong condemnation over the serious situation persisting for several years in the Anaesthesia Department of Mayo Hospital, demanding immediate intervention by the Punjab health minister and the vice chancellor of King Edward Medical University (KEMU).
In a statement, the YDA said that it is the fundamental responsibility of a professor to act as a mentor for trainee doctors, encourage them, provide opportunities for learning and professional growth, and ensure proper academic and clinical training. However, the situation in the Anaesthesia Unit of Mayo Hospital is entirely contrary to these principles, where residents are reportedly facing mental stress and harassment.
According to the association, not only postgraduate residents but also associate professors, assistant professors and senior registrars feel insecure in the department. Over the past five to six years, several postgraduate residents, senior registrars, consultants and faculty members have been compelled to resign and leave the Anaesthesia Unit during their training or service.
The YDA expressed regret that despite the prolonged nature of the issue, no higher authority has conducted a serious review to determine why such a large number of doctors have left the Anaesthesia Department. The association alleged that due to the influence of the concerned professor, no clear accountability has taken place so far.
The association demanded that the Punjab health minister and the vice chancellor order a complete review of the past five years’ record, clearly identifying how many associate professors, assistant professors, senior registrars, consultants and postgraduate residents left the Anaesthesia Unit, and how many of them resigned directly due to the behaviour of the concerned professor.
The statement further demanded an inquiry into why doctors transferred from other units to the Anaesthesia Department resigned within a few months, despite the fact that securing a government job has become extremely difficult under current circumstances. The YDA strongly opposed the decision to transfer seven to eight more doctors from other units to the Anaesthesia Department to address the staff shortage, warning that such measures would worsen the situation rather than resolve it.
The YDA said that either previously resigned doctors should be re-hired to bring the facts to light, or the current postgraduate residents should be protected from the prevailing hostile environment. It warned that if residents were forcibly transferred, the association would exercise its constitutional right to protest and resistance.
The association urged Vice Chancellor King Edward Medical University Professor Dr Mahmood Ayaz to take immediate notice of the matter and ensure a fair and sustainable solution before more postgraduate residents are forced to resign, jeopardising their careers and livelihoods.
The statement also said that the YDA Mayo Hospital Lahore cabinet held a meeting with the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Mayo Hospital at the vice chancellor’s office on the same day, during which the issue was discussed in detail. The CEO assured the association that its concerns would be conveyed to the vice chancellor.
The YDA made it clear that if an immediate and just resolution is not reached, it will reserve the right to protest and resist.
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