KARACHI: The Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) has expressed serious concern and anger over the increasing incidents of violence, target killings, and insecurity faced by doctors and healthcare workers in Balochistan, warning that the medical community may launch a nationwide protest if immediate action is not taken by the government.
Addressing a press conference, PMA officials said that doctors are not an easy target and their responsibility is to save lives, not risk their own. They stated that recent incidents, including the killing of senior medical practitioner Shabir Jamali, the acid attack on Dr. Mah Noor, and the armed attack on Tehsil Headquarter Hospital Usta Muhammad, have created an atmosphere of fear among healthcare workers.
The association said that doctors in Quetta are already protesting against what they termed government negligence and insecurity, adding that medical professionals cannot perform their duties peacefully when they are unsafe inside hospitals and outside.
The PMA also highlighted concerns over the increasing migration of doctors from Pakistan, claiming that thousands of doctors are leaving the country due to lack of security and better professional opportunities abroad. The association warned that continued insecurity could lead to a serious shortage of doctors in the country’s healthcare system.
The PMA demanded immediate arrest and punishment of those responsible for the killing of Shabir Jamali, formation of a judicial commission headed by a serving judge of the Balochistan High Court to investigate the acid attack case of Dr. Mah Noor, and strict legal action against those involved in the Usta Muhammad hospital firing incident.
The association further demanded that all government hospitals across Balochistan and Pakistan be declared safe zones and that a Healthcare Security Act be enacted to ensure protection of medical staff.
PMA officials warned that if their demands are not addressed, the ongoing strike in Quetta could be expanded into a nationwide protest, holding the administration responsible for any disruption in the healthcare system.
The press conference was addressed by Dr. Abdul Ghafoor Shoro, Secretary General PMA Centre; Dr. Muhammad Shoib, General Secretary PMA Quetta; Dr. Ismail Memon, President PMA Karachi; and Dr. Fayyaz Mastoi, Joint Secretary PMA Quetta.
