Doctors to observe Gaza Medics Day today

LAHORE:Doctors and allied healthcare professionals will come together on Friday (today) across the country in hospitals and institutions to express their support for the doctors and healthcare workers in Gaza who are persistently providing medical care under extremely challenging conditions, regardless of the risks to their lives.

The Pakistan Islamic Medical Association (PIMA), the Pakistan Medical Association (PMA), and the Young Doctors Association (YDA) have jointly declared November 10, Friday (today) as nationwide Gaza Medics Day. They have called upon healthcare professionals to organise assemblies from 10 to 11am in various cities and pay tribute to the doctors and medical workers in Gaza. The central president of PIMA, Dr Abdul Aziz Memon, expressed serious concerns about the public healthcare situation in Gaza, describing it as extremely alarming.

In a statement on Thursday, he stated that 192 medical professionals have been killed in Gaza so far. Since October 7, 18 hospitals and 40 primary healthcare units have gone out of service due to the Israeli bombing, or the lack of fuel and medicine to keep the facilities from operating.

Israel is expanding its war and targeting hospitals in Gaza Strip, which is a war crime and clear violation of international laws and the Geneva Convention. Israel has continued its airstrikes around Al-Shifa, the central hospital of Gaza Strip, and in recent days, even medical convoy was also targeted at the main entrance of the hospital. So far, 40 ambulances have been destroyed. This situation not only violates international laws but also signifies a humanitarian crisis. PIMA president said that Pakistani doctors are observing a day of solidarity and tribute with the doctors and medics of Gaza in the hospitals. This is to reassure them of our support and solidarity and to call upon the international community to stop Israel from committing war crimes in Gaza, which is clearly violating the Geneva Conventions, he said.