I’m not sure what kind of trend began in Pakistan where doctors are required to be tortured or killed if their patient dies or develops a serious condition.
Doctors were held in the utmost regard by the community in the past, but now those same doctors are viewed as patient kidnappers and killers. How incredible is this? Instead of exercising patience when your patient becomes ill or dies, you start threatening, blackmailing, torturing, and killing doctors. Do you understand it? Is this appropriate?
The doctor’s community has become a victim as numerous incidents have been reported throughout Pakistan where sometimes Doctors have been mistreated by their local administration, blackmailed by local mafias like media persons and advocates, and threatened by goons. These days every Doctor is facing such intolerable behavior.
Last night an unfortunate incident occurred at Children’s Hospital Lahore where a 7-month unvaccinated baby, who had already suffered from measles, had developed severe Pneumonia and was put on mechanical ventilation. The Doctor thoroughly discussed the severity of his ailment. And counseled them regarding his poor prognosis. Written consent was also taken from them for “Do not resuscitate.”
Two doctors on duty named Dr. Maryam and Dr. Saad Rafique, Dr. Maryam were looking after this patient, and she declared his death. Up to this time, attendants were cool and calm.
The moment the death occurred, the scene became chaotic. And when the baby’s grandfather—who is an ASI in the Sindh police, according to reports—incited his other family members and told the lady doctor, “Run if you want.” They all together started attacking dedicated Doctor Saad, who had devoted his life to the noble cause of healing. A video that has gone viral on social media shows that the patient family members are beating up the Doctor while the Doctor is bleeding from the nose. He was hurt both physically and emotionally. He sustained severe wounds.
According to Doctor Saad, they had reportedly been hitting him for up to an hour while talking to bring something to cut off his head. Finally, some other patients’ attendants arrived to save the Doctor. The violent attack’s story spread like wildfire, shocking everyone in the medical field and beyond.
The Doctor was severely battered, requiring his admission to the intensive care unit in a very critical state. No police showed up at the scene of the event. Thanks to the Young Doctors Association of Punjab and all the other medical professionals who protested and blocked the highways to arrest the culprits.
Although the offenders have been identified and are in custody, the Government and the police are not taking the case seriously.
This episode highlighted the lack of respect and appreciation for medical professionals, who tirelessly work day and night to safeguard public health. The question arises here where the hospital security was? Where was the hospital administrator? Why didn’t he check on the hospital’s security? In the event of his murder, would he be able to deal with the Doctor’s family, who, too, would have been traumatized by the incident? Would they anticipate that his son would continue to give of himself in the face of such danger? Will this FIR result in justice or increase compassion for the Doctor who witnessed his death up close?
Human rights organizations should take action to create a safe atmosphere for these doctors who have been working day and night relentlessly because the Government is solely involved in corruption and waging war against its rivals.
Punjab Young Doctors Association has called for a demonstration in Punjab in response to this tragic event. At the same time, the Young Doctor’s Association Sindh has denounced this act of savagery in a press statement.
These organizations, which are managed by Doctors, have been working hard all hours of the day and night. Still, neither the Government nor any official representing it is taking an interest to address their issues.
Young Doctors Association leader Dr. Zeeshan stated in his message that while this incident should be condemned and similar ones are not uncommon. The Government is not paying attention to them. The Government should implement security policies to reduce incidents of this nature.
Isn’t it unfortunate for the Pakistani Government that there are more and more instances of Doctors being brutalized and oppressed, which leads to a significant number of doctors leaving Pakistan each year?
