A widespread protest from healthcare professionals entered into their second consecutive day in Rawalpindi on Monday, when doctors across three major government hospitals continued their strike against the privatization of public hospitals, Express News reported.

The Young Doctors Association (Yda) has led the boycott, resulting in the suspension of outpatient ward (Ud) at Benazir Bhutto General Hospital, Holy Family Hospital and Rawalpindi Teaching Hospital.

According to Dr. ARIF AZIZ, president of Yda at Benazir Bhutto General Hospital, the association opposes the government’s decision to privatize public health institutions.

“We reject the categorical privatization of government hospitals. The government must immediately withdraw this decision,” he said.

While emergency and patient services remain functional, YDA representatives have warned that the strike may be extended to other departments if their requirements are not treated.

Meanwhile, polio and dengue extermination efforts in Rawalpindi have been temporarily stopped as health workers also launched protests against plans to outsource public healthcare.

Workers from peripheral areas such as Gujar Khan, Chakri and Union Council Phagwari Boikoted the ongoing provincial polio campaign and expressed strong opposition to the privatization of the health department. They raised concerns about job security, delayed wages and lack of financial protection.

The protest has led to the temporary suspension of both polio and dengue prevention campaigns in the region and raises public health concerns in the midst of continuous efforts to control seasonal diseases.