Balochistan doctors, paramedics end 50-day strike

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QUETTA: Doctors and paramedics in Balochistan on Saturday ended a 50-day strike, which caused inconvenience to patients across the province, after negotiations with the provincial government to ensure their safety and security proved successful.

Meanwhile, the out-patient departments (OPDs) have been reopened.

Balochistan Health Minister Mir Naseebullah Khan told reporters that the reservations of doctors would be addressed on priority and effective measures would be taken to ensure their safety.

The Doctors Action Committee (DAC) had been on strike to protest against the kidnapping of Dr Sheikh Ibrahim Khalil, a neurosurgeon who returned home on January 30 after remaining in captivity for 48 days.

He was kidnapped by armed men from Quetta on December 13, 2018.

The Balochistan government had constituted an investigation team to inquire into his kidnapping.

However, doctors affiliated with the Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) and the Young Doctors Association (YDA) had expressed their dissatisfaction over the measures taken by the government and subsequently, the out-patient departments (OPDs) of all government-run hospitals including the Civil Hospital in Quetta and Bolan Medical Complex were shut down in protest.

They had been demanding comprehensive security measures for the safety of doctors.

Earlier, Quetta Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police Abdul Razzaq Cheema assured that the kidnappers of the neurosurgeon would be brought to justice.