News
Sunday, September 22, 2013
PMA concerned over kidnapping of doctorsStaff Report
QUETTA: The Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) has expressed its concerns over the mounting number of kidnappings of doctors and demanded early and safe recovery of cardiac specialist Dr Munaaf Tareen and three doctors, kidnapped from Loralai three months ago.
The PMA on Saturday also announced a three-hour boycott of OPDs in all government hospitals on a daily basis from September 23 to protest against the kidnappings.
Addressing a news conference, PMA Balochistan President Dr Sultan Tareen said that for the past five years, doctors are being harassed and kidnapped for ransom.
“After taking notice of doctors’ kidnapping, the Supreme Court ordered the provincial government to provide security to doctors but unfortunately no one is following the SC order,” Sultan Tareen said, adding that in the past Dr Din Muhammad Baloch, Dr Akbar Marri, Dr Ghulam Rasool, Dr Mubashir, Dr Saeed, Dr Nasrullah, Dr Anwar and other paramedics were kidnapped and released after paying huge amount of ransom but security forces could not arrest a single culprit.
Dr Tareen said that Dr Munaaf was kidnapped from Pishin bus stop in the proximity of FC Headquarters. The incident took place at 10am and PMA had immediately informed police and briefed them thoroughly about the incident, Dr Tareen said.
“The cell phone of Dr Munaaf remained switched on until midnight and despite having all facilities, security forces failed to ascertain the whereabouts of the doctor,” Dr Tareen said.
“Our fight isn’t against any political party or group. We are fighting against the kidnappers and all doctor organisations are united in this struggle,” he added.
“We are aware of the problems of ordinary public but we are compelled to go on a strike and from September 23 we will boycott OPDs for three hours in all government hospitals,” Dr Tareen said.
He, however, directed doctors to make sure their presence in hospitals after the strike of three hours.
Dr Tareen said that after the blast on the premises of district courts, “the provincial government has ensured stringent security there but unfortunately no such measures have been adopted for hospitals”.
To a question, he said, “We would continue our demonstration until protection of doctors and hospitals is ensured.”
Meanwhile, the Young Doctors Association (YDA) boycotted OPDs of all government hospitals across the province for the 3rd day against the kidnapping of Dr Munaaf.
The Core Committee – formed for the recovery of Dr Munaaf and consisting of members of Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) Balochistan, Young Doctors Association and Baloch Doctors Forum – continued the strike in government hospitals across the province.
The general OPDs of government hospitals are bring closed for from 8am to 12pm while doctors have announced holding protest demonstrations for the recovery of their kidnapped colleague.
Doctors say that the provincial government and law enforcement agencies are not showing interest in the recovery of Dr Munaaf.
“The government must do something for the protection of doctors and shouldn’t compel us to stop all kind of work at government hospitals. If the administration doesn’t change its attitude, we do have other ways,” they said.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk