Pakistan's Military Promises Doctors Protective Gear To Fight Virus

Pakistan's military said it will provide protective equipment to dozens of doctors who were briefly jailed for protesting a lack of medical gear needed to treat the growing number of coronavirus cases.

The 47 doctors protested in Quetta, the capital of southwestern Baluchistan province, on April 6, when they were detained. Provincial spokesman Liaquat Shahwani said they were released later the same day.

An army statement on April 7 said the "emergency supplies of medical equipment, including PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) are being dispatched to Quetta."

However, some of the medical personnel who had been detained said they were mistreated by police and that some of their colleagues were beaten. The doctors spoke under the condition of anonymity, fearing reprisals.

Two doctors have died after contracting the new virus in Pakistan, which has recorded 4,004 cases and 54 deaths.

Many of the cases have been traced to pilgrims returning from neighboring Iran.

Pakistani authorities have imposed a countrywide lockdown until April 14.

Based on reporting by AP and dawn.com