The medical fraternity of the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC) gathered at the OPD Complex on Monday and held a protest against recent acid attack on a female doctor at the Civil Hospital Quetta by an employee of the hospital.
The participants strongly condemned the brutal attack on a lady doctor in Quetta. They noted that the doctors safety remains at threat across the country. They further stated that across Pakistan, the safety and security of healthcare professionals continue to be seriously compromised.
The doctors observed that physicians dedicated their lives to healing and serving humanity. They maintained that it is unacceptable for healthcare professionals, who work tirelessly to save lives, to live in fear while performing their duties.
The protest witnessed participation from prominent medical leadership, including Dr Omer Sultan, Patron-in-Chief of YDA Pakistan, Dr Sajjad Bughio, Senior Vice President of YDA Sindh, and Dr Kanwal Soomro, Senior Vice President of YDA Sindh. They stood in solidarity with the full cabinet of YDA JPMC and other doctors, strengthening the collective voice of the medical fraternity.
The gathering at JPMC was described not only as a protest but also as a demand for immediate and systemic reforms. The doctors called upon the government and relevant health authorities to implement the following measures: secure work environments ensuring physical protection in all wards, emergency rooms, and OPDs; stronger legal protections with strictly enforced protocols should be ensured for all frontline healthcare workers.; and concrete preventive measures, including actionable strategies and rapid-response systems should be ensured to prevent recurrence of such incidents.
The doctors emphasized that an injury to one doctor is an injury to the entire medical community. They reaffirmed their commitment to continue raising their voices for the right to practice medicine safely and without fear.
It may be noted that two days back, a 29-year-old lady doctor Mahnoor Nasir was seriously injured by another employee at the Civil Hospital Quetta. The attacker was later killed in an encounter.
Presently, injured doctor is under treatment at a Karachi hospital. She had suffered severe burn injuries to her face, chest, and legs. However, her health is stated to be out of danger.
Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfaraz Bugti has announced that a civil award would be conferred on a man who helped the lady doctor after the attack.