Kidnappings for ransom: Doctors decide to boycott LRH OPD after third abduction

Dr Amjad Taqween was on his way home when he was kidnapped by unidentified men in Hayatabad Phase VII on Tuesday.

PESHAWAR:

The abduction of yet another doctor, the third in the last two months, led doctors and medical staff at Lady Reading Hospital (LRH) to boycott their outdoor patient department (OPD) duties on Wednesday.

Dr Amjad Taqween, who heads Medical C-unit of LRH, was on his way home after Isha prayers when he was kidnapped by unidentified men in Hayatabad Phase VII on Tuesday night.

The prominent physician has been associated with the hospital for more than 20 years. Dr Taqweem also has a clinic in Karachi Market and is politically affiliated with Jamaat-e-Islami.



The Tatara police suspect the incident took place when Dr Taqween was returning from the mosque. They believe he was overpowered by the suspects near his house and forced to sit in a white Toyota Corolla. They added all exit routes from the town were blocked and authorities were searching for him. No FIR was registered till this report was filed.

Doctor recovered

About two months ago, Dr Mujahid Bangash and Dr Kamran Khan were kidnapped by unidentified men. Dr Khan was released on Friday.

According to a doctor who did not wish to be named, Dr Khan had come from England and had been working at Northwest General Hospital when he was kidnapped for ransom in October. He claimed the government had failed to help and the family had contacted a political agent to pay Rs11 million for his release. The doctor added Dr Khan had been kept in a bad condition and had been warned not to say anything about the kidnapping or they would abduct his son.

The doctor claimed after the suspects received the ransom, they gave Khan a cell phone and he was home within 15 minutes.

Strike

LRH will remain closed for an unspecified period of time starting Wednesday, while Hayatabad Medical Centre will only be open for emergencies. All three teaching hospitals will be on strike on Friday and private clinics in Dabgari Gardens will also remain closed.

A committee of doctors was formed on Wednesday to look into matters such as doctors’ security. The members include Health Employees Coordination Council’s provincial president Dr Musa Kaleem, Provincial Doctors Association Chairperson Shah Sawar and Young Doctors Association’s president Alamgir Yousafzai.

While talking to The Express Tribune, Dr Kaleem said the committee had held a meeting with the commissioner of Peshawar at the LRH to ensure Dr Taqweem’s release. They also discussed security issues and suspending the SHO of Hayatabad.

Dr Kaleem confirmed the committee had decided on the line of action regarding the boycotts and strike. He added this was being done as doctors cannot work if their lives are being threatened by kidnappers. “If this situation continues, doctors will be compelled to move to other countries,” he said.

According to Yousafzai, the government had failed to provide doctors with security as a number of doctors were being attacked or abducted from across the country.  While talking about the patients who would suffer as a result of the boycott, he said if the doctors were not safe, they could not be expected to treat their patients properly.

Private practice

Patients who had been waiting their turn at LRH were angry over the boycott.

“My uncle has admitted in Neurosurgery Ward,” said Imran Khan. “We came from Pabbi, Nowshera and the doctors have not visited the ward today.”

Patient Sardar Khan’s relative said they had come from Ashab Baba and the patient was in the medical ward unattended. He added they could not afford to go to private clinics.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 5^th, 2013.