Young Doctors Association demands more vacancies for female doctors

Staff Report QUETTA: The leader of the Young Doctors Women’s Wing, Dr. Sehti Anwar, has made a strong call for the creation of vacancies for female doctors at the district level, the cessation of harassment against female doctors, and the provision of accommodation facilities within hospital premises. She emphasized that if these demands are not addressed, the medical professionals will be forced to boycott their duties. Dr. Anwar made these remarks during a press conference at the Quetta Press Club, where she was joined by Dr. Shazia, Dr. Hafza Manzoor, and several other female doctors. Dr. Anwar expressed deep concerns about the lack of basic facilities in Balochistan, a province that remains severely underdeveloped in many aspects, including healthcare. She pointed out that despite the challenges, female medical students from remote areas of Balochistan overcome significant obstacles to complete their MBBS degrees. However, after graduation, they continue to face hardships in terms of career advancement, especially when it comes to opportunities for specialization. One of the major issues raised by Dr. Anwar was the delay in salary payments for doctors in the province. She highlighted that timely payment of salaries is critical to the well-being of medical professionals, particularly those who are already grappling with difficult working conditions. “Doctors are struggling due to the delayed payment of their salaries. Given the circumstances, it is essential that the government ensures salaries are paid on time,” she said. She further stressed the challenges faced by female doctors from remote areas of Balochistan who, after completing their MBBS degrees, are forced to travel to Quetta for their post-graduate studies. These doctors are separated from their families and homes for extended periods, often under difficult circumstances. Dr. Anwar revealed that many of these female doctors are facing an additional hardship: the lack of accommodation. “The situation has become so dire that many of them have no hostels or places to stay,” she said, explaining that these doctors are left to fend for themselves, often without any support from the hospital administration. In addition to the accommodation issues, Dr. Anwar also highlighted the financial challenges faced by these doctors, especially those who have received scholarships. She pointed out that the scholarships, which are meant to alleviate financial burdens, have been inadequate. “The doctors who have received scholarships have only been provided with stipends for six months, which is insufficient. The remaining stipend should be released immediately,” she urged. The lack of proper housing and financial support is exacerbating the difficulties faced by female doctors who are already struggling to balance their professional responsibilities with their personal and family obligations. Dr. Anwar emphasized that the hospital administrations, instead of offering assistance, often express helplessness when approached with these concerns. She described the overall situation as a systemic failure to support female doctors, especially those from rural areas, who continue to face numerous barriers in their careers. Dr. Anwar’s statement was clear: if the government fails to address these issues, the medical professionals will be forced to take direct action. She made it clear that they are not only fighting for the welfare of female doctors but also for the improvement of the healthcare system in Balochistan as a whole.