KARACHI: The Young Doctors Association (YDA) at Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC) has strongly condemned a violent incident in which doctors were assaulted inside the Orthopaedic Outpatient Department (OPD) of the hospital on Thursday.
According to YDA JPMC, a group of individuals allegedly affiliated with a political party entered the Orthopaedic OPD posing as patient attendants and, without any provocation, physically attacked doctors while they were performing their duties. The assault reportedly continued for some time, leaving doctors injured and mentally traumatised, until hospital security intervened and brought the situation under control.
In a statement, the YDA termed the incident an act of hooliganism and said it was not only an attack on doctors but also an assault on the sanctity of the healthcare system. The association expressed deep concern over the safety of medical professionals, stating that doctors working under already challenging conditions are increasingly being targeted by politically motivated elements.
The YDA JPMC has demanded the immediate registration of a First Information Report (FIR) against the identified culprits under non-bailable sections of the Pakistan Penal Code, including provisions of the Healthcare Service Providers and Facilities (Prevention of Violence and Damage to Property) Act. It also called for the swift arrest of all those involved in the incident within 24 hours.
Additionally, the association demanded a permanent increase in the deployment of police and Rangers outside OPDs and the Emergency Department to prevent unauthorised entry, and the strict enforcement of a “one patient, one attendant” policy without any exception or political influence.
Issuing a warning, the YDA JPMC stated that if the culprits are not arrested and visible security measures are not implemented immediately, it would be compelled to announce a complete withdrawal of services from the OPDs. The association said that in such a case, responsibility for any inconvenience faced by patients would rest solely with the hospital administration and the authorities.
