QUETTA(National Times)- Protesting young doctors announced the suspension of all emergency services and routine medical facilities in public sector hospitals, including Civil Hospital Quetta, on Tuesday, after they were barred from staging a protest sit-in in the provincial capital’s Red Zone.
The Young Doctors Association (YDA) leadership had previously announced a sit-in near the Red Zone to press for their demands. However, in anticipation of the protest, the local administration deployed heavy contingents of police at all gates of Civil Hospital and blocked roads leading to the Red Zone.
Despite the restrictions, doctors managed to reach Anscomb Road at the back of the hospital building. After gathering, the doctors attempted to break through the police blockade but failed. They protested and chanted anti-government slogans, remaining on the road for some time before being turned back by police.
The protesting doctors claimed that police manhandled some of their colleagues. However, the police and local administration denied the allegations, stating that authorities had only blocked the roads and hospital gates.
YDA activists barred from staging protest in Red Zone
Speaking to the media, YDA Supreme Council Chairman Dr Hafeez stated that doctors were being pushed toward taking stronger action. While he thanked the government for arranging medical treatment for Dr Mahnoor Nasar, he criticised authorities for stopping what he described as a peaceful protest.
“Although the protesting doctors were carrying no weapons, we were not allowed to march towards the Red Zone,” he said.
He also raised concern over the suspension of Grade-19 and Grade-20 doctors over the past two years and referenced the August 8 lawyers’ tragedy, noting that those responsible had still not been held accountable. Dr Hafeez added that the doctors remain open to negotiations and will announce their next course of action following mutual consultation.
As doctors attempted to leave the hospital, the gates were shut, forcing protesters to postpone their planned Red Zone sit-in. Dr Hafeez confirmed that the YDA supreme council would meet to decide their future line of action.
Meanwhile, YDA leader Dr Bahar Shah announced an expansion of the strike, declaring a complete boycott of all medical services, including emergency care.
“In the current situation, we cannot continue working in hospitals,” Dr Shah said, alleging that the entire system had been mobilised to protect certain officials, thereby forcing doctors to take tough decisions. The suspension of emergency services has raised serious concern among the public, as critically ill patients arriving at hospitals face immense uncertainty amid the growing standoff between the doctors and the government.
