Balochistan is typically linked with its bigger landmass having hundreds of mineral resources when cited in any discussion or piece written on the province.

This being the case, its lower population is often castigated for not having sufficient budgets disbursed on the basis of population. However, the genuine issue rests with the mother of all ills; maladministration.

For instance, there are as many as four medical colleges in the province; Bolan Medical College (BMC) in Quetta, Makran Medical College (MMC) in Turbat, Jhalawan Medical College (JMC) in Khuzdar, and Loralai Medical College (LMC) in Loralai.

All these medical colleges have been hit hard by prolonged strikes by teachers, and students are the prime victims facing disruption in their classes, which is naturally compromising their while academic life.

For the last four months, the deadlock between the administrations of medical colleges and the teachers has been consistent.

The demands of teachers include resumption of health professional allowance, timely promotion of all teaching faculties, enhancing the budget of medical colleges and teaching hospitals, increase in student stipends, renting new student hostels, and expediting and filling all the vacant teaching posts.

However, seeing their academic careers at stake, recently medical students broke their chain of silence and took to the streets, demanding an immediate halt to strikes by the faculty members. By the looks of it, their voice has not been heard by anyone who matters. Their efforts have gone down the drain.

The fact of the matter is that the teachers’ association has been communicating with the provincial government about their demands for the last two years. They have got nothing in response either.

Despite all the noise made on multiple social media platforms, the health secretary and other relevant government officials continue to be mere silent spectators. The suffering continues.

Hakeem Ali
Quetta

Published in Dawn, July 19th, 2023