Heat wave: Wonky cooling system at PIMS a pain for staff, patients

Most patients end up dehydrated in main building, problematic AC.

ISLAMABAD:

Thousands of patients along with their attendants and medical staff are suffering due to the faulty central cooling system in the main building of Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims).

The suffocating smell of sweat welcomes visitor at the main hospital building. One can see patients and attendants fighting to get places under a ceiling fan, with those who fail forced to use duppatas, newspapers and hand fans to beat the heat.

A senior physician at Pims said that over 3,500 patients visit the 15 outpatient departments (OPD) in the main building every day, while over 500 patients are admitted in various inpatient departments at any given time.

“It becomes almost impossible to work during peak hours when the OPDs are flooded with patients. It is difficult to breath due to the scorching heat,” said the doctor.



He said most of the ceiling fans and air conditioners rarely work.

“Several times, doctors lodged complaints with the high-ups, but each time we were told that nothing can be done as the hospital is short of funds,” the doctor added.

He said the lack of cooling caused most patients to get dehydrated and suffer from headaches, low blood pressures and have bedsores due to excessive sweating.

“Patients who are suffering the most are the one with chronic wounds. Excessive sweating makes them suffer  unbearable pain,” he said.

Considering this, doctors usually increases fluid intake for the patients and make efforts to maintain their body temperature, said the doctor.

“My relative feels uncomfortable  due to the unbearable heat. I have to keep moving him so he can rest under a fan,” said Sadia Khan, an attendant of a patient admitted in Medical Ward 3.

Mohsin Hussain, a patient, said, “I have been sitting here since morning waiting for my turn. I am an asthma patient and now the heat is affecting my breathing. I cannot go out as it is too hot and I cannot sit inside due to the absence of cooling.”

Dr Iqbal Raza, the acting administrator and planning director at Pims, said the administration of the hospital is well aware of the situation in the main building and has requested over Rs30 million from the Capital Administration and Development Ministry to address it.

“It is difficult to get a new central cooling system due to the high cost, so we will use the money to repair the existing system. Hopefully the funds will be released this year,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 5^th, 2013.