-Policeman shoots, injures Karachi doctor allegedly after being denied sleeping pills.

KARACHI -- Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) officials on Thursday warned the government that they will boycott services if the security of doctors is not ensured at hospitals.

The association condemned the incident where a policeman shot and injured a doctor on duty at the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD).

According to a report by media, the doctor was shot for allegedly not prescribing sleeping pills to the officer, who was suffering from typhoid and had been urging medical staff to prescribe the pills as he wasn't able to sleep the past few days.

While addressing a press conference in Karachi, the association asserted: "If doctors are not provided security, the medical fraternity will also go on a lockdown (strike)."

Saying that patients want the doctors to prescribe the medicine of their choice which they do not even need, members of the association rued that the incident is reprehensible and the government should probe into the matter, taking stern action against the culprits.

Stressing that the health professionals do not hold a grudge against the people but the government for not meeting the demands of medical workers, the officials lamented that doctors are working in hospitals with unfavourable conditions and security issues.

"If such incidents occur frequently, we may be forced to shut down the OPDs (out patient department)," said PMA...