QUETTA: After successful negotiations with the Provincial leadership the Baloch doctors have ended their strike on Tuesday 7th of April, 2020.
It may be recalled that when they took to the strike protesting against non-provision of safety equipment on Monday, they were beaten and arrested by Police. As a reaction the Young Doctors Association had announced boycott of the services at hospitals.
But after parleys with the provincial leadership they called off the strike and stated that they realized that their strike added to the hardships of the patients. They were talking to the Media at a Presser in presence of the concerned ministers. They expressed hope that the Ministers’ Committee will fulfill the promises made by them. Provincial minister said that the government was with the medical workers.
It may be noted that on Tuesday 7th of April, Chief of Army Staff, while calling them the front line fighters against the COVID-19 Pandemic, sent them the required material.
Relevant pieces published earlier:
COAS dispatches PPE to Quetta Medical Workers
7th of March, 2020
ISLAMABAD: ISPR has taken to the Twitter to inform that Pakistan Army is dispatching emergency supplies of medical equipment including Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to Quetta on orders of the Army Chief.
Taking to the Twitter DG ISPR Major General Babar Iftikhar stated today: “Emergency supplies of medical equipment including PPEs being dispatched to Quetta on orders of COAS to help medical staff fight Covid-19 effectively in Balochistan.
“Doctors & paramedics are the frontline soldiers in this war…Most advanced nations / govts are finding it extremely difficult to fight this pandemic. Pakistan Govt is striving hard to acquire & supply the required resources. In this hour of distress we must remain patient and steadfast.”
COVID-19: Balochistan doctors not provided Protective Equipment
QUETTA: When medical workers combating the COVID-19 Pandemic, took to the street here today protesting against non-provision of Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs), they were baton charged and arrested.
According to details members of the Young Doctors Association (YDA) and paramedical staff (who are playing a key role in the country’s fight against the COVID-19), commenced a manifestation from Civil Hospital and marched up to the CM Secretariat where they were stopped by LEAs personnel who resorted to beat and arrest them.
Following the arrests, the YDA Balochistan President Yasir Achakzai proclaimed at a Presser here: “We suspend all our services following the high-handedness of police.” It is pertinent to mention here that the news that thirteen doctors had tested positive for Coronavirus had forced health workers manifest against non-availability of PPEs.
Although the Balochistan Police refused to accept that they had assaulted the young doctors, footage available show that the medical workers were baton-charged and pushed into the prison vans.
PPP Co-Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari commenting on the episode held: ““Instead of providing them with the requisite protective gear, the government has sent them to jail. At a time when they are needed in hospitals, doctors have been sent to jails. What kind of justice is this?”
Coronavirus: Pakistan’s 19th case surfaces in Quetta
10th of March, 2020
QUETTA: Balochistan Chief Minister Jam Kamal Khan has taken to twitter to inform that one case here has come positive after two tests. The (12-year-old) child is in Fatima Jinnah and the condition is under-control.
According to details the patient (who happens to be the first case reported in Balochistan) had arrived in Quetta via Taftan border along with his parents (who tested negative). The family belongs to Sindh’s district of Dadu.
Along with today’s Quetta case so far 19 Pakistanis have been tested positive for Coronavirus. 15 were from Sindh and 3 from Gilgit.
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