Protesting young doctors in Quetta have halted emergency and routine medical services at public hospitals, including Civil Hospital Quetta. This action follows authorities preventing them from holding a protest sit-in in the Red Zone of Balochistan’s capital.
The Young Doctors Association (YDA) had planned a sit-in near the Red Zone to highlight their demands, but heavy police presence blocked their access to the area. Despite this, the doctors attempted to breach the blockade on Anscomb Road, leading to a confrontation with the police.
The doctors alleged that some of their colleagues were mistreated by the police during the protest. However, authorities refuted these claims, stating that they had only restricted access to roads and hospital gates. YDA Supreme Council chairman Dr. Hafeez criticized the authorities for obstructing their peaceful protest, emphasizing that the doctors were unarmed and peaceful in their demonstration.
Dr. Bahar Shah, a YDA leader, announced a complete boycott of medical services, including emergency care, citing concerns over the protection of certain officials within the system. This suspension of services has raised worries among the public, especially for critically ill patients seeking treatment amidst the escalating tensions between doctors and the government.
The suspension of emergency services has raised serious concern among people, as critically ill patients who come to hospital for treatment face uncertainty amid the growing rift between the doctors and the government.
