Balochistan doctors warn of Red Zone sit-in if demands go unmet

QUETTA: The Balochistan Young Doctors Association (YDA) has warned that it will stage a sit-in outside the Red Zone if the provincial government does not accept its demands within 24 hours, as a protest camp set up in support of Dr Mah Noor completed 22 days.

Speaking at a press conference at Civil Hospital Quetta along with other leaders, YDA president Dr Hai Baloch said the government had so far failed to take any practical steps to address the doctors’ demands. He said doctors grouped under the Grand Doctors Alliance had agreed on a joint course of action and would continue what he described as a peaceful movement until their demands were accepted.

Dr Baloch said the main demand of the YDA was the removal of the health secretary and the medical superintendent of Civil Hospital Quetta. He alleged that instead of resolving the matter, the government had appointed a junior officer to a senior post at the hospital and had not taken effective action in alleged corruption cases.

Referring to a recent incident at the Trauma Center, Dr Baloch also claimed that a police official attacked a doctor while allegedly under the influence of drugs, but those responsible had not faced effective legal action. He said doctors would hold a protest sit-in in front of the Red Zone at 12pm on Monday if their demands were not met, adding that the demonstration would remain peaceful, though it could be widened if the authorities continued to ignore the issue.

Addressing the same press conference, Dr Baloch said: "If our demands violate the Constitution or law, the government should clearly point it out."

Another doctors’ leader, Dr Bahar Shah, condemned the entry of armed individuals into hospitals and said such incidents were unacceptable in any situation. He accused the government of making the matter more complicated rather than solving it and called for immediate legal action against those involved in the Trauma Center episode.

Dr Bahar Shah also questioned the government’s position on the matter, asking whether doctors had any involvement in the acid attack incident at Civil Hospital.