QUETTA: The Young Doctors Association (YDA) Balochistan on Sunday announced an indefinite boycott of outpatient departments (OPDs) and elective services in public hospitals across the province from Monday, as doctors launched province-wide protests following an acid attack on a female medic at Quetta’s Civil Hospital.
Protests and Demands
The YDA and the Young Doctors Action Committee organised protest rallies in Quetta and other cities on Sunday, demanding the immediate removal of the provincial health secretary and the medical superintendent of Civil Hospital over alleged criminal negligence regarding staff security.
Victim’s Condition
Dr Mah Noor Nasir, a young doctor, was targeted in an acid attack during her shift on Friday. Hospital sources in Karachi, where she was airlifted for specialised treatment, confirmed she sustained 13 percent burns. While she is out of immediate danger and her eyesight remains intact despite corneal clouding, she requires extensive plastic surgery, doctors said.
Doctors’ Grievances
Addressing a press conference in Quetta on Sunday, Young Doctors Action Committee head Dr Tahir Musa Khel described a deteriorating environment for doctors and healthcare workers in both remote and urban areas. “Doctors are being treated with utter disregard. Before the acid attack on Dr Mah Noor, another female doctor in the gynaecology department had her hair pulled and was physically assaulted,” Musa Khel said. “We demand a comprehensive security plan for all government hospitals. We cannot work in fear for our lives.”
Skepticism Over Suspect’s Killing
The strike comes despite the provincial government’s announcement that the assailant, identified as Humayun Shah, was killed by security forces within 30 minutes of the attack. However, the medical community has expressed skepticism over the swift “liquidation” of the suspect. “The killing of the suspect has raised doubts rather than closing the matter,” Musa Khel said, calling for an impartial judicial inquiry to determine whether others were involved.
Government Response
Adviser to the Balochistan Home Department Babar Khan Yousafzai urged doctors to show restraint and return to work, arguing that a boycott would only punish poor patients. Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti announced a civil award for Abdul Razzaq, a medical technician who was injured while intervening and saving Dr Mah Noor from more severe injuries. The YDA has vowed to continue the sit-in outside the Quetta Press Club until its administrative demands are met. Chief Minister Bugti is expected to meet a delegation of doctors upon his return to Quetta on Tuesday.
The attack on Dr Mah Noor has sent shockwaves through the medical community in Balochistan. Doctors have expressed fear for their safety, particularly female staff working night shifts. The YDA has demanded that the government provide secure accommodations for female doctors on duty. The association has also called for the installation of CCTV cameras and deployment of armed guards inside hospital wards. The provincial government has promised to review security protocols but has not yet agreed to the removal of the health secretary. The impasse continues, with patients bearing the brunt of the OPD boycott. The YDA has clarified that emergency services will remain operational. However, routine check-ups and elective surgeries have been suspended. The situation has drawn attention to the broader issue of healthcare worker safety in Pakistan. The federal government has taken notice and sought a report from the Balochistan administration. The medical community across the country has expressed solidarity with their colleagues in Quetta. Protests have been reported in Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad as well. The incident has also highlighted the need for stricter penalties for those who attack healthcare workers. The government has promised to fast-track legislation to protect medical staff. However, doctors are skeptical and want immediate action. The YDA has said it will not call off the strike until their demands are met. The health secretary has not yet commented on the calls for his removal. The medical superintendent of Civil Hospital has also remained silent. The doctors argue that the administration’s negligence allowed the attacker to enter the ward. They have demanded a full security audit of all government hospitals. The provincial government has agreed to conduct the audit but insists that the health secretary will remain in his post. The YDA has rejected this compromise. The standoff continues, with no resolution in sight. The patients of Balochistan are caught in the middle. Many have been unable to access medical care due to the boycott. The government has urged doctors to reconsider, but the YDA remains firm. The coming days will determine whether a negotiated settlement is possible. The doctors have the support of the public, who are outraged by the attack. The government is under pressure to act. The health secretary’s fate may ultimately decide the outcome. The YDA has shown no signs of backing down. The protest is likely to continue until their demands are met. The medical community is united behind their colleagues in Quetta.
