By Dr. Faheem
In this digital age, democracy should empower citizens. Yet in Pakistan, many still live under a master-slave dynamic. The hospital security crisis at Sindh Government Hospital, Qasimabad reflects this colonial legacy. Since 1947, feudalism, illiteracy, and poverty have allowed politicians and bureaucrats to impose their will on the public.
Today, however, citizens are no longer unaware. Thanks to independent media and education, they recognize their rights. They refuse to accept cruelty or suppression. They are ready to resist — even if it costs their blood.
As a medical officer in the Casualty and Outpatient Department (COD), I witness this imbalance every night. Violent groups, drunk individuals, and criminals enter the duty room freely. No one screens them. No one stops them. These intrusions lead to verbal abuse, physical harassment, and mental torture.
During medicolegal cases, mobs pressure doctors to issue false certificates. They threaten us if we refuse. Despite repeated complaints, the administration has ignored our concerns. Either they support these groups silently, or they lack the capacity to enforce order.
Last night, around 2 AM, a doctor and the COD staff faced a brutal attack. Everyone escaped using self-defense. Still, Aftab and Hanif suffered gunshot injuries. Panic spread throughout the hospital and nearby areas.
This incident is not isolated. It’s part of a larger pattern. The hospital security crisis has reached a dangerous level. If government institutions can’t protect their own staff, how will they safeguard ordinary citizens?
Instead of punishing the attackers, authorities must hold the district administration accountable. This hospital falls under their jurisdiction. Their failure to provide security makes them complicit.
We, the doctors’ community, demand immediate reforms. We need secure working conditions, legal protection, and administrative accountability. From now on, any harm to life or dignity within hospital premises will be treated as a governance failure. We will pursue legal action against the responsible officials.
This crisis goes beyond hospital walls. This crisis challenges Pakistan’s democratic integrity. Institutional decay becomes visible in every unprotected ward and unchecked threat. Public servants remain vulnerable, while criminals roam freely without consequence. Privilege is not our demand. What we need is protection. Power isn’t our pursuit — dignity is. If the state cannot guarantee safety in its own hospitals, it has failed its people.
Silence is no longer an option. Action is overdue. We will continue to serve. We will also continue to resist.
Read climate-related news here: https://greenpost.com.pk/
