KARACHI: Young Doctors Association on Friday expressed grave concern over the rising incidents of violence, targeted killings, and attacks on healthcare professionals, warning that the situation has reached an intolerable level and could lead to the collapse of the healthcare system if immediate action is not taken.
Addressing a press conference at Karachi Press Club, Chairman YDA Sindh Dr. Mehboob Ali Noonari termed the situation a “clear state failure,” stating that doctors are being targeted both inside and outside hospitals. He said repeated concerns over lack of security have gone largely unaddressed, leading to increasingly serious consequences.
He added that incidents of violence against doctors and healthcare workers have surged across the country in recent months, with reports indicating a significant rise in killings and a threefold increase in such incidents within a year.
President YDA Sindh Dr. Roshan Chandio said the attacks are no longer isolated incidents but reflect a disturbing pattern. He highlighted frequent violence in emergency wards, threats to doctors, and targeted killings in various cities of Sindh, adding that continued insecurity could severely impact the delivery of essential healthcare services to the public.
Vice President Dr. Mehran Shar stated that statistics show 70 to 80 percent of doctors in Pakistan face some form of violence during their professional careers, including physical assaults, verbal abuse, and harassment. He described the issue as a systemic failure requiring urgent resolution.
General Secretary YDA (NICH) Dr. Sanagar said the situation has evolved into a serious public health crisis, noting that unsafe working conditions for doctors directly affect patient care. He added that healthcare workplace violence is globally recognized as a major factor undermining health system performance.
Jinnah Hospital President Dr. Ammar Danish said the situation in major teaching hospitals of Karachi has become alarming, with frequent incidents of violence in emergency departments putting both doctors and patients at risk. He warned that failure to implement effective security measures could lead to strong protest.
Other representatives, including Dr. Rana Dildar, Dr. Fayyaz, Dr. Muhammad Ali, and Dr. Shah Jahan, also expressed concern over the lack of security for doctors across Sindh. A large number of doctors from public and private hospitals, along with representatives of human rights organizations, lawyers, students, and media personnel, attended the press conference and supported the demand for protection of healthcare workers.
YDA Sindh demanded the immediate enforcement of a security emergency in hospitals, deployment of foolproof security arrangements in all public hospitals, strict legal action against those involved in violence and targeted killings, implementation of a zero-tolerance policy, operationalization of the healthcare protection law, and mandatory registration of FIRs within 24 hours in all cases of violence against doctors.
The association concluded with a strong warning that if doctors remain unsafe, patient care will inevitably suffer, adding that it reserves the right to launch constitutional and democratic protests if the state fails to act.
