Public sector hospitals in Quetta experienced significant disruptions for the third day running on Tuesday as junior doctors intensified their strike in response to a brutal acid attack on a female colleague. The Young Doctors Association (YDA) Balochistan has suspended all outpatient departments (OPDs) and elective procedures across government hospitals in the city, limiting services solely to emergency wards.
This ongoing boycott has caused severe difficulties for thousands of patients, including both inpatients and those seeking consultations. The strike was sparked by a violent incident at Quetta’s Civil Hospital, where 29-year-old Dr Mahnoor Nasir was gravely injured after a hospital employee, Humayun Shah, threw acid on her. The assailant was subsequently killed in a police shootout while attempting to escape the city by bus.
Dr Nasir was transferred to Aga Khan University Hospital in Karachi, where medical reports indicate her condition is stable. However, she has suffered bilateral corneal opacities—scarring on the surface of her eyes—though her vision remains intact for now.
In a significant development, the YDA has escalated its demands, calling for the immediate dismissal of the provincial health secretary, the medical superintendent, and the security chief of Quetta Civil Hospital. They are also pressing for the establishment of a judicial commission to conduct a transparent investigation into the security failure that allowed the attack to occur.
Meanwhile, tensions within the medical community have surfaced. At a press conference in Quetta, Dr Abdullah Khan, president of the Balochistan Medical Teachers’ Association (BMTA), condemned the attack but described the junior doctors’ strike as an “inappropriate” response. He emphasized that this was the first acid attack inside a hospital in the region, highlighting the vulnerability of female doctors who work tirelessly.
Dr Khan noted that Pakistan experiences between 150 and 400 acid attacks annually, with women constituting 80 percent of the victims. While expressing solidarity with Dr Nasir, he commended the provincial government and police for their prompt action and initial medical care. Dr Ayesha, representing the victim’s family, also expressed satisfaction with the official response.
The BMTA has issued a stern warning to authorities, demanding legislation to enhance hospital security and the immediate deployment of indoor security personnel at major medical facilities. They pointed out that both Civil Hospital and Bolan Medical Complex (BMC) have long been susceptible to security threats. Dr Khan cautioned that if these demands are not addressed within a week, senior faculty and medical teachers will join the protests.
In a show of support, Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfaraz Bugti visited Dr Nasir in Karachi on Sunday to oversee her treatment. Bugti announced a civil award for Abdul Razzaq, a hospital utility worker who sustained burn injuries while attempting to protect Dr Nasir during the attack. Razzaq has since been discharged from a private hospital in Quetta.
