Nangarhar doctors say daily threatened, extorted

JALALABAD (Pajhwok): Doctors in eastern Nangarhar province say they daily received threats of kidnapping from unknown callers who demand money.

Physicians Defense Association (PDA) in Nangarhar said on Sunday that at least two doctors were threatened on a daily basis and even attacked in some cases.

Recently, one doctor was killed and four other people were injured when a bomb blast took place inside the doctor’s check up room in Jalalabad, the provincial capital.

In addition, Dr. Baz Mohammad Sherzad, former public health director and current advisor to the Public Health Ministry, was attacked in Sara Rud distract but he survived the attack.

Dr. Emal Hassanzai, PDA head, told Pajhwok Afghan News that at least two doctors were daily threatened by unidentified gunmen.

He said doctors were being extorted and if they refused to pay extortion money, they were attacked or their family members were kidnapped.

Sherzad told Pajhwok,he was attacked by armed men on the Sukhab Bridge when he wanted to go back to Kabul after spending vacation at home.

He said the armed men had more demands besides cash money and they carried out a blast in front of his home as well.

Sherzad, also in charge of the Public Health Ministry’s emergency department, added unknown armed men had threatened him in the past as well and but he rejected their demands.

Public Health Ministry’s spokesman Waheed Majroh acknowledged health officials had been attacked and threatened in recent past in Nangarhar and other provinces of the country.

He said such activities had created difficulties for doctors and confronted the Health Ministry with immense problems.

He also acknowledged the armed attack on Public Health Ministries’ Advisor Baz Mohammad Sherzad and said the issue had been shared with security officials.

Nangarhar Provincial Council Member Dr. Nasir Kamawal told Pajhwok Afghan News that doctors were being extorted, kidnapped and even threatened with elimination. He asked security organs to ensure safety of doctors in Jalalabad City.

Meanwhile, the Afghanistan Labor and Wagers Association (ALWA) asked security institutions to take steps for security of doctors.

Dr. Liaqat Adil, All Afghanistan Federation of Trade Unions (AAFTU) head, said doctor were an educated segment of society and were in the service of ailing humanity and no one should create problems for them.

Governor Gulab Mangal said the government was responsible to ensure security of people but public support was vital in this regard. He said security officials had been directed to take strict measures to control such incidents.

nh/ma

Visits: 7