A place meant for healing turned into a site of horror when a female postgraduate doctor was attacked with acid while on duty at Civil Sandeman Hospital in Quetta, the largest public healthcare facility in Balochistan. The incident has not only shocked the medical community but also raised troubling questions about safety, accountability and the protection of frontline workers.
The victim, Dr Mah Noor, sustained severe injuries in the attack. According to medical reports, nearly 35 percent of her face and body suffered burns. After initial treatment at the hospital, she was shifted to a private facility for further care. The brutality of the assault, carried out in a professional environment, underscores the vulnerability of healthcare workers even within institutions meant to provide security.
CCTV footage of the incident reportedly shows the suspect entering the ward, throwing acid at the doctor and fleeing the scene. The sheer ease with which such a violent act was executed raises serious concerns about hospital security protocols and surveillance effectiveness.
Law enforcement agencies launched operations across Quetta, eventually identifying the suspect as Humayun Shah. Authorities later stated that he was killed in an exchange of fire near the Noshki Bus Stand after allegedly resisting arrest. While the immediate threat may have been neutralised, the broader issue remains unresolved.
This incident is not an isolated one. Across Pakistan, healthcare professionals particularly women continue to face harassment, violence and intimidation in their workplaces. Hospitals, which should be among the safest spaces in society, are increasingly becoming vulnerable zones where systemic negligence allows such incidents to occur.
Acid attacks, in particular, represent one of the most brutal forms of violence, leaving victims with lifelong physical and psychological scars. Despite legal frameworks aimed at curbing such crimes, implementation gaps persist and deterrence remains weak.
The responsibility does not lie solely with law enforcement. Hospital administrations, provincial authorities and regulatory bodies must ensure strict security measures, controlled access points and rapid response mechanisms within healthcare facilities. Protecting those who dedicate their lives to saving others is not optional it is an obligation.
This tragedy must serve as more than just another headline. It should become a turning point that compels institutions to act decisively. Without accountability and reform, such incidents risk becoming a recurring reality rather than an exception.
If doctors are not safe within hospital walls, then where does safety exist at all? And how long will institutions remain reactive instead of preventive in the face of such brutal and avoidable violence?
Keywords:
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Jaweria Nazeer
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The author is a writer who focuses on social issues and nutrition. Their work highlights topics such as inequality, education, human rights and healthy lifestyle habits aiming to inform readers and promote positive awareness and change.
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