The Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) has strongly condemned a shocking incident of shooting by armed individuals at the District Headquarters Hospital in Usta Muhammad in a statement today, resulting in several injuries and increasing concerns among medical staff and patients.
Hospitals, recognized globally as centers of peace and healing, are now at risk, raising concerns about the safety of the medical professionals entrusted with saving lives. The PMA emphasized that such violent incidents are crippling the healthcare infrastructure, rendering medical staff unable to perform their duties without fear.
In support of its Quetta branch, the PMA central appealed to the Balochistan government and federal authorities to take immediate and decisive actions. Immediate demands include the prompt arrest of those responsible for the attack under charges of anti-terrorism and attempted murder.
The PMA also called for the immediate implementation of a comprehensive Healthcare Security Act at the provincial and federal levels to prevent violence in medical facilities and ensure strict penalties for the culprits. Furthermore, a comprehensive review of the security of all hospitals nationwide, including in Balochistan, was presented. This includes the deployment of law enforcement personnel and the implementation of robust security measures such as walk-through gates and continuous CCTV monitoring.
Dr. Abdul Ghafoor Shoro, Secretary General of the PMA, emphasized that the medical community should not be left vulnerable to security failures. He warned that if immediate action is not taken to ensure a safe working environment for healthcare workers, the PMA will have no choice but to initiate nationwide protests, holding relevant authorities accountable for any consequences.