QUETTA: The doctors protesting against non-provision of safety gear and other medical equipment ended their strike and joined duties in hospitals after successful negotiations with the Balochistan government on Wednesday.

The government team comprising provincial ministers Mir Zahoor Ahmed Buledi, Zamarak Khan Piralizai and Mir Saleem Ahmed Khosa and some senior doctors held talks with leaders of the Young Doctors Association (YDA) at a police station which the doctors refused to leave despite their release orders issued by the government just one hour after their arrest on Monday.

YDA general secretary Hanif Luni announced the ending of strike and confirmed that the government had assured of resolving all issues of the protesting doctors, including provision of safety gear and other medical equipment.

Provincial minister Zamrak Khan Piralizai said Chief Minister Jam Kamal Khan has taken notice of police action against the doctors. “We on the behalf of the government assured doctors that an inquiry will be launched into police action against doctors,” he said, adding that doctors’ demands were legitimate because they were on the frontline against coronavirus.

Dr Yasar Achakzai of the YDA said the government had assured that issues being faced by the doctors and paramedical staff would be resolved.

Published in Dawn, April 9th, 2020