News Desk
Quetta: The Young Doctors Association (YDA) Balochistan has warned that it will stage a sit-in outside the Red Zone if the government fails to accept its demands within the next 24 hours.
Addressing a press conference at Civil Hospital Quetta alongside other YDA leaders, YDA Balochistan President Dr. Hai Baloch said that the protest camp established in solidarity with Dr. Mah Noor has completed 22 days, yet no practical progress has been made by the provincial government regarding their demands.
Dr. Hai Baloch stated that if their demands are against the Constitution or the law, the government should clearly identify and explain such objections. He said that doctors across the province, under the platform of the Grand Doctors Alliance, have adopted a joint strategy and will continue their peaceful struggle for the acceptance of their demands.
He said that one of their primary demands was the removal of the Secretary Health and the Medical Superintendent (MS) of Civil Hospital Quetta. However, instead of implementing the demands, the government appointed a junior officer to a senior position at the hospital. He further alleged that no effective action has been taken against those involved in alleged corruption cases.
The YDA president also alleged that a police official, reportedly under the influence of narcotics, recently assaulted a doctor at the Trauma Center, but no effective legal action has been taken against the accused.
Dr. Hai Baloch announced that if the government fails to address their concerns, doctors will stage a peaceful sit-in outside the Red Zone. He warned that the scope of the protest could be expanded if their demands remain unmet.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Bahar Shah said that the entry of armed individuals into hospitals is unacceptable under any circumstances. He criticized the government for worsening the situation instead of resolving issues and demanded immediate legal action against those involved in the Trauma Center incident.
Dr. Bahar Shah further alleged that the Balochistan government is attempting to suppress the protest through the use of force. Referring to the acid attack incident at Civil Hospital, he questioned whether doctors were involved in that case. He warned that if force is used against protesters during the demonstration, doctors across Balochistan will completely boycott services at all government hospitals, holding the provincial government responsible for any consequences.
