Quetta cracks down on striking doctors

23 suspended, 25 served notices as govt prioritizes patient care

QUETTA:

The Balochistan Health Department has taken major disciplinary action in a decisive response to the ongoing protest and strike by young doctors. Citing violations of rules and regulations, an illegal strike, anti-disciplinary activities, and breach of departmental decorum, the department has suspended 23 doctors and issued show-cause notices to 25 officers.

According to a spokesperson for the Balochistan Health Department, the registrations of five trainee doctors associated with the postgraduate training program have been suspended with immediate effect, and a formal inquiry has been initiated against them. These measures have been taken amid concerns over the disruption of patient facilities in public hospitals across the province.

The Health Department has issued a clear directive that all government health facilities in Balochistan will remain fully operational. Disciplinary action will be taken immediately against any staff member absent from essential services, including emergency wards, ICUs, and operation theaters. All doctors and paramedical staff have been instructed to perform their duties diligently, failing which they will face strict legal action.

A senior health official, speaking on condition of anonymity, stated, "Patients' lives cannot be put at risk. The right to protest is there, but it cannot be turned into a means of causing suffering to patients."

On the other hand, upon the recommendation of senior doctors, the Balochistan government has formed a high-level review committee to assess the current security situation in health institutions. The committee will include senior provincial government officials, senior doctors, representatives of the Health Department, and security officials.

Confirming the formation of the committee, the Additional Chief Minister of Balochistan stated, "Doctors' issues will be addressed seriously, but the health system will not be allowed to be compromised in the name of protest. Any security lapses that come to light will be rectified immediately."