Pakistani Doctors Demand Safety After Acid Assault

In Pakistan's restive Balochistan province, doctors have initiated protests demanding crucial healthcare system reforms following a brutal acid attack on a female colleague. The incident occurred on June 5th when Mahnoor Nasir, a 29-year-old doctor at Sandeman civil hospital in Quetta, was targeted by a lift operator. The assailant, Humayun Shah, was later killed in a police encounter.

Ms. Nasir sustained significant burns and is currently undergoing treatment in Karachi. This assault has drawn widespread condemnation from activists and medical professionals, who view it as a direct attack on women's right to work. They are advocating for enhanced safety measures for healthcare workers and have called for the resignation of the Balochistan health secretary.

The Young Doctors Association organized a boycott of outpatient services, though private hospital staff continued working. In response, the health department suspended 23 doctors and trainees, issuing notices to others for participating in the strike. Senior doctors have emphasized the severity of the attack, criticizing the suspensions and demanding accountability.

UN Women in Pakistan has also denounced the assault, underscoring that acid attacks represent a devastating form of gender-based violence with lasting consequences. The incident has intensified concerns about escalating violence against women and social inequalities in Pakistan, contributing to a critical shortage of doctors as many women leave the profession due to safety fears.