Police baton-charged protesting health workers in Quetta and arrested more than 20 on 12 January after they marched towards the city’s Red Zone, where rallies and protest sit-ins are banned.
Members of the Young Doctors Association (YDA), Balochistan chapter, joined by paramedical and nursing staff associations, had begun to march from Sandeman Provincial Hospital towards the Red Zone.
They were demanding an improvement in conditions in government hospitals, supplies of medicines for patients and the installation of modern medical equipment.
They also demanded security for doctors and paramedical staff and opposed the government’s attempt to effectively privatise government healthcare facilities by introducing health cards (a form of health insurance).
The police disrupted the march and began to baton-charge the protestors. Dr Rahim Khan, a spokesperson for YDA Balochistan, said that at least 10 doctors had sustained injuries during the incident while more than 50 had been arrested.
Dr Khan said that the doctors injured during the clash with police officials had been taken to the Trauma and Emergency Centre of the Quetta Civil Hospital.
Those arrested were taken into custody in a nearby police station and were told that legal action would be initiated against them.
