Healthcare professionals, hospital administrators and medical associations in Pakistan have raised growing alarm over increasing incidents of disrespect, harassment and violence targeting doctors and other medical staff. Stakeholders warn that repeated threats to safety are damaging morale and undermining the delivery of critical patient care.
Dr. Rafey Sher and representatives from hospitals, medical associations and patient welfare organisations issued a joint statement calling for urgent action. “The safety, dignity, and professional respect of healthcare workers must be treated as a national priority,” the statement says, stressing that doctors, nurses and paramedics serve communities under intense pressure and resource constraints.
Signatories urged the Government of Pakistan to adopt and enforce stronger laws against violence and harassment in healthcare settings, bolster hospital security systems, establish rapid-response mechanisms and ensure swift legal action against offenders. Stakeholders say these measures are essential to restore a secure working environment where medical teams can focus on patient care without fear.
The group emphasised that assaults on healthcare workers not only endanger individuals but also erode public confidence in the health system and disrupt essential services. “Protecting healthcare professionals is essential for protecting patients,” the statement notes, linking robust healthcare safety to better outcomes for communities nationwide.
Dr. Rafey Sher and allied organisations called on government authorities, law enforcement, hospital administrations, civil society and the public to collaborate on practical steps that reinforce security, respect and accountability across medical facilities. They stressed that a coordinated approach to healthcare safety will strengthen Pakistan’s healthcare infrastructure and benefit patients and staff alike.
