Peshawar (Web Desk) – A strike by doctors in Kohat entered its fourth consecutive day on Tuesday following the killing of Lady Doctor Mehwish, with healthcare services across several districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa severely disrupted.
The protest, led by the Young Doctors Association, has expanded to include paramedics, nurses and medical college students, who are demanding immediate arrests and stronger security measures at public hospitals.
Officials confirmed that all hospital services remain suspended except for emergency care. Routine outpatient departments (OPDs) have been closed in multiple districts, leaving patients struggling to access medical treatment.
Services Disrupted Across Southern Districts
Government hospitals in Kohat, Bannu, Dera Ismail Khan, Lakki Marwat, Hangu and Mardan have been affected by the strike. Doctors in Mardan also announced a boycott of OPD services in solidarity with their colleagues.
Dr Asfandyar, speaking on behalf of the Young Doctors Association, said the boycott of all non-emergency services would continue until concrete security measures are implemented.
He stressed that doctors and medical staff no longer feel safe at their workplaces and called for the strict enforcement of the Hospital Security Act. “This is no longer just about general security; it is about the protection of doctors’ lives,” he said, accusing the provincial government of failing to ensure adequate safety.
Investigation Underway
Dr Mehwish was shot dead three days ago while returning home from hospital duty in Kohat. According to the post-mortem report, she sustained eight bullet wounds, underscoring the severity of the attack.
Police officials said evidence has been collected from the crime scene and CCTV footage reviewed, leading to the identification of suspects. Raids are underway to apprehend those involved.
Authorities have pledged to bring the perpetrators to justice as tensions remain high within the medical community. The incident has renewed debate over hospital security, protection of healthcare workers, and law and order in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
