Medical students from Balochistan are on hunger strike till death for the last 2 days. The hunger strike camp is set in Quetta city against the Pakistan Medical Commission (PMC). The medical students belong to Jhalawan, Makran and Loralai medical colleges of Balochistan.
Three months ago PMC announced an exam for the registration of 600 students of the three medical colleges in Balochistan. However, the students are not in favour of taking this “special exam” for the registration process.
The said students were on a sit-in protest for the last two months for their demands. But after 2 months of sit-in before the Quetta Press Club government of Balochistan failed to meet their demands and take up the matter with PMC. Two weeks ago Minister Health, Syed Ehsan Shah, sent a letter to PMC about this issue. The officials said that Balochistan govt is now waiting for any response from the PMC about the registration of 600 MBBS students.
According to reports, five medical students went on hunger strike till death, 2 days ago and their protest continues. While the PMC and the officials of Balochistan govt have not commented on the new developments yet.
Pakistan Medical Commission’s decision to withdraw concession granted for regularisation of students studying prior to the college recognition has put the future of students at stake. Balochistan government, including the other concerned circles and teaching faculty are responsible for the poor standard of education, “which don’t meet the PMC criteria for registrations.”
Students from the three medical colleges across Balochistan have been studying for the last three to four years. Suddenly they are hit with the decision that they can not be regularised.
The PMC asked the students to appear in a test for regularisation but the students refused and launched a protest campaign against the institution.