Young Doctors Association Balochistan Suspends Protest, Restores OPD and Medical Services

Quetta: The Young Doctors Association (YDA) Balochistan has announced the temporary suspension of its protest and the restoration of Outpatient Department (OPD) services and all other medical facilities at government hospitals across the province.

The decision was made following a meeting at the Quetta Commissioner’s Office between Quetta Commissioner Shahzaib Kakar, Deputy Commissioner Quetta Mehrullah Badini, and representatives of the Young Doctors Association Balochistan, Pakistan Medical Association (Quetta Zone), and the Allied Health Organization.

During the meeting, the commissioner and deputy commissioner urged the doctors to postpone their protest in view of the province’s fragile security situation, the ongoing sit-in in Ziarat, and the growing healthcare needs of the public. They assured the delegation that the government would play a mediating role and make serious efforts to address the doctors’ demands.

The delegation was led by YDA Balochistan President Dr Hai Baloch, PMA (Quetta Zone) President Dr Nadir Baloch, and Allied Health Organization President Jamal Shah Kakar.

Speaking after the meeting, Dr Hai Baloch said the association was fully aware of the extraordinary circumstances facing the province, including the deteriorating law and order situation, the ongoing Ziarat sit-in, and the grief of the families of the martyrs. He said that, in the public interest and in response to the commissioner’s request, the association had decided to temporarily suspend its protest.

He announced that all government hospitals across Balochistan would fully restore OPD services and other healthcare facilities from Thursday.

However, Dr Hai Baloch emphasized that the association had not withdrawn its demands. He said the protest had only been postponed due to the current situation and warned that if the government failed to make meaningful progress on the doctors’ legitimate demands immediately after the conclusion of the Ziarat sit-in, the association reserved the right to resume its protest with greater intensity.

The Young Doctors Association also thanked the Pakistan Medical Association (Quetta Zone), the Allied Health Organization, the medical community, senior doctors, the media, and the public for supporting what it described as the doctors’ legitimate struggle. The association reaffirmed its commitment to protecting doctors’ rights while continuing to serve the public.