Hundreds of Peshawar doctors are living with the daily threat of being killed or abducted for ransom by Taliban militants or criminal gangs. The doctors' association in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, of which Peshawar is the capital, estimate that in the past three years around 12 doctors have been killed and more than 30 kidnapped, while up to 3,000 have fled in search of a peaceful life elsewhere.
The problem is not confined only to the northwest. The medics' association in Karachi, Pakistan's largest city, says 20 doctors have been killed in targeted attempts in the past 14 months while 10 have been kidnapped in two years. Doctors are seen as relatively easy targets in Pakistan as they are well paid, and often lack the protection of influential connections that wealthy businessmen might enjoy.
Threats by Extortionists Force Many Doctors to Flee Pakistan
A recent report has revealed that medical professionals in Pakistan are facing death threats from extortionists on a regular basis, if they did not meet their demands.
Advertisement
Kidnapping leaves most of the medics deeply traumatized after their release and unwilling to speak about their experiences for fear of retribution from their abductors. Dr. Amir Taj Khan, senior vice president of the Provincial Doctors Association, said, "They stop interacting with others and restrict themselves to their homes and clinics as the kidnappers tell them they will find them if they ever reveal any details at all. They don't even come to our meetings."
He averred that doctors do not tell their stories publicly even if they're paid $1 million. "Of the 32 doctors who had been kidnapped, only two had confided in me what had happened to them. Most doctors in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa now simply pay off the Taliban and criminal gangs making the extortion and kidnapping business a hugely lucrative revenue-earner for militants. Almost 100% of senior doctors pay extortion to avoid kidnapping and killing, they know there is no other way to survive," he rued.
![Interfaith Couples in Pakistan Brave Threats for Forbidden Love]( "Interfaith Couples in Pakistan Brave Threats for Forbidden Love")
A Muslim woman fell in love with a Christian co-worker some thirteen years ago among the whirring looms of a garment factory in an eastern Pakistani city.
Dr. Hanif Afridi, a successful eye specialist with clinics in several cities, pays $2,500 every month to Mangal Bagh, a feared warlord in Khyber tribal region. He said, "I am paying extortion since 2010. I know I am doing wrong but there is no other solution, security forces are unable to protect us."
He added that he has to keep the Taliban happy and that he pays them an additional 5,000 when the latter demands more money for special assignments. "I am sometimes taken to the tribal areas for the treatment of the Taliban commanders. Militants pick their targets carefully, carrying out sophisticated undercover surveillance before striking. They know everything about everybody. Many Taliban visit our clinics in the disguise of patients and assess how rich we are, so we have to abide by their demands," he explained.
After surviving one murder attempt and one kidnap bid, Dr. Mehmood Jafri, takes no chances with his personal safety. He puts his AK-47 in the car when he leaves for work in the troubled northwestern city of Peshawar with his most trusted relative beside him as an escort. He also has armed guards at his home. But, at times even the best-laid security arrangements do not always work.
"The pressure has become too much for many doctors and a steady stream have left Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, putting further stress on an already weak healthcare system serving an extremely poor part of Pakistan. They have migrated to the Gulf, Dubai, Saudi Arabia, UK, USA, Canada, Islamabad and Punjab. Up to 20 doctors are moving out every month. I think around 3,000 have left (the province) within three years," Khan said.
Source: Medindia
Interfaith Couples in Pakistan Brave Threats for Forbidden Love
A Muslim woman fell in love with a Christian co-worker some thirteen years ago among the whirring looms of a garment factory in an eastern Pakistani city.
Advertisement
Dr. Hanif Afridi, a successful eye specialist with clinics in several cities, pays $2,500 every month to Mangal Bagh, a feared warlord in Khyber tribal region. He said, "I am paying extortion since 2010. I know I am doing wrong but there is no other solution, security forces are unable to protect us."
He added that he has to keep the Taliban happy and that he pays them an additional 5,000 when the latter demands more money for special assignments. "I am sometimes taken to the tribal areas for the treatment of the Taliban commanders. Militants pick their targets carefully, carrying out sophisticated undercover surveillance before striking. They know everything about everybody. Many Taliban visit our clinics in the disguise of patients and assess how rich we are, so we have to abide by their demands," he explained.
After surviving one murder attempt and one kidnap bid, Dr. Mehmood Jafri, takes no chances with his personal safety. He puts his AK-47 in the car when he leaves for work in the troubled northwestern city of Peshawar with his most trusted relative beside him as an escort. He also has armed guards at his home. But, at times even the best-laid security arrangements do not always work.
"The pressure has become too much for many doctors and a steady stream have left Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, putting further stress on an already weak healthcare system serving an extremely poor part of Pakistan. They have migrated to the Gulf, Dubai, Saudi Arabia, UK, USA, Canada, Islamabad and Punjab. Up to 20 doctors are moving out every month. I think around 3,000 have left (the province) within three years," Khan said.
Source: Medindia
Polio Grasps Another Child In Pakistan
UN official reveals the death of a second child that died after contracted polio due to the banning of polio vaccination by Taliban's there.
Advertisement
 Army Assault in Pakistan Spoils Fourth Wife Dream of Father-of-36The military operation in Pakistan may be making headway in clearing militant hideouts, but it has shattered the dreams of a father of 36 children of taking a fourth wife | Advertisement
|
Advertisement
Recommended Reading
Latest General Health News
Over 300 people had fallen sick with illness caused by Norovirus on a US cruise ship, say authorities.
Ex-smokers in Wakefield have shared their stories to encourage others to give up cigarettes on No Smoking Day 2023 which falls on 8th March.
Total levels of m6A in the nervous system rise with age and that (some) neurodegenerative diseases are characterized by RNA hypermethylation.
New study provides insights into the impact of early-life adversity on brain development and on control of reward behaviors that underlie emotional disorders
Ministry of Health of the Republic of Indonesia signed a formal memorandum of understanding (MOU) that will expand access to essential diagnostics in the country.