Quetta Doctors Continue Strike, Demand Stronger Hospital Security

The Young Doctors Association has refused to enter negotiations with health authorities in Quetta, declaring that its strike will continue until the government responds to its demands for safer hospitals and stronger protection for medical staff. The protest is centred on recent incidents at Civil Hospital, where doctors say security failures have left health workers exposed to threats and violence.

The association’s position was announced at a protest camp, where YDA representatives said the doctors would not accept talks that do not first address their core concerns. Their demands focus on practical security arrangements inside hospitals, protection for female doctors and accountability for incidents that have shaken confidence among medical professionals.

A key concern raised by the association is the acid attack on Dr Mahnoor Nasir, a case that has intensified fear across the medical community. YDA leader Dr Palwasha Raheem Kakar said the attack had created deep anxiety among female doctors, many of whom already face difficult working conditions in crowded and under-resourced public hospitals.

Speaking at the protest, Dr Kakar urged the government to invest in doctor safety rather than taking punitive steps against medical staff. She criticised the authorities for what she described as a retaliatory approach, saying the dismissal of health workers had further damaged trust at a time when the administration should be engaging seriously with security concerns.

Despite the strike, protesting doctors have said they will continue offering free treatment at private clinics to reduce hardship for patients. This move appears aimed at maintaining public support while keeping pressure on health officials, as hospitals remain a sensitive public issue where delays and closures can quickly affect vulnerable families.

The protest has also drawn political attention in Balochistan. National Party leader and Deputy Parliamentary Leader Mir Rehmat Saleh Baloch expressed support for the striking doctors and called for a transparent judicial inquiry into the acid attack. His demand adds pressure on the provincial authorities to treat the case not only as a law-and-order matter but also as a test of institutional accountability.

Hospital security has long been a concern in Pakistan, especially in emergency departments and public-sector facilities where doctors often deal with high patient loads, emotionally charged attendants and limited administrative support. For female doctors, the issue carries added urgency because harassment, intimidation and physical threats can directly affect their ability to work safely.

The impact of the strike could widen if the dispute is not resolved quickly. Patients in Quetta and surrounding areas rely heavily on public hospitals for affordable care, while doctors argue that quality healthcare cannot be delivered in an unsafe environment. The coming days will determine whether the government opens a credible security-focused dialogue or whether the standoff deepens further.