Balochistan’s young doctors call off strike after talks with govt

Healthcare professionals were protesting against lack of protective gear amid coronavirus outbreak

QUETTA: Upon successful negotiations with the government, the Young Doctors Association (YDA) of Balochistan late on Tuesday announced ending their strike and vowed to resume duties at hospitals across the province.

The decision was taken after provincial ministers assured the protesting doctors that all their concerns will be addressed soon, Dr Yasir Achakzai, president of the association, said while talking to the media. “We are pleased to announce that we are returning to our duties straightaway,” he said.

On Monday, police used excessive force to break up a protest by the young doctors in Quetta. The healthcare professionals were protesting against the lack of protective gear in the hospitals as the country deals with the coronavirus pandemic.

Almost 100 doctors spent the night in jail despite orders for their release. Initial talks between the doctors and provincial ministers failed as doctors demanded stern action against those involved in the incident.

Dr Achakzai, in tonight’s media interaction, said that the protesting doctors were raising legitimate demands, but failed to get attention of the authorities concerned.

Doctors in Quetta refuse to work after Monday’s clash with police

“Frontline soldiers [fighting against coronavirus] are not being provided facilities, which is also putting the lives of their families at risk,” he complained.

Provincial minister Zakarik Achakzai, speaking on the occasion, said: “Doctors play a leading role worldwide, including in Pakistan [in the war against COVID-19]”.

He said everyone has the right to raise their voice in democracies. The tragic incident should not have happened at the first place, he said, adding that Chief Minister Jam Kamal Khan took notice of the situation at the right time to avert situation from deteriorating any further.

“We have assured doctors that there will be an inquiry against the perpetrators. Their demands are legitimate because doctors are on the frontline [in this war],” Zamrak Achakzai said.

Dr Achakzai said doctors are suffering from coronavirus. “The whole world knows about it, but we are yet to receive personal protection equipment (PPE),” he maintained.

The YDA president further said that the government has assured them of resolving their issues. “Only by trusting the government’s committee and considering the difficulties of the people, we have decided to end our strike,” he said.