Balochistan govt asks doctors to resume duties after agreeing to resolve issues

QUETTA: Balochistan government spokesperson Liaquat Shahwani on Wednesday urged doctors and paramedical staff to resume duties after both parties reached an agreement under which the Young Doctors Association (YDA) had decided to end their protest against the provincial government.

While talking to media, Shahwani said that the government had accepted all rightful demands put forward by YDA, which include provision of medical kits to about 90% of the doctors.

“We now request doctors to leave police stations and resume their duties,” he added.

Read more: Police arrest protesting doctors and medical staff in Quetta

Earlier on Monday, YDA had announced a boycott of their services in hospitals across Balochistan after Quetta police baton-charged doctors for protesting near the CM House.

One-hundred and fifty doctors were arrested for protesting against the lack of Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) in hospitals across the province to treat coronavirus patients.

The police, in response, said that doctors had been arrested as they were found in violation of Section 144, which bans public gatherings.

In this regard, the provincial government also directed the department of health to conduct hiring for 400 vacancies and to regularise the position of doctors appointed on an ad hoc basis.

While referring to the remand of health officials for stents purchasing scandal, the provincial spokesperson underscored that government will never compromise on public health.

Read more: YDA ends boycott after successful negotiations with Balochistan government

The provincial spokesperson also paid regards to Chief of Army Staff (CAOS) for prioritising Balochistan while extending immediate aid and support to fight the pandemic.

Shahwani further reiterated that within a week, about 95 masks, 25,000 gloves along with other surgical instruments have been dispatched for doctors and paramedical staff in the province.

Assuring health professionals that government will take all possible measures to facilitate them, the provincial spokesperson requested doctors to cooperate and not deviate from their mission in this time of crisis.

"We request doctors to not become a part of any mafia [...] We will bring changes and facilitate them," he added.