The number of patients at Spencer Eye Hospital in Lyari has reduced considerably over the years and many of its staffers attribute the decline to the unstable location of the hospital. PHOTO: ATHAR KHAN/EXPRESS
The hospital was among the pioneers of free medical camps and corneal transplantation in Pakistan. Because of its services and exemplary medical staff, the hospital’s fame spread across the country - according to hospital records, residents of Balochistan, Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan were among the patients who visited this hospital. The number of patients reportedly was so high that sometimes patients would have to wait days for their turn.
“Now, patients are afraid to come here,” commented a senior staff member of Spencer Eye Hospital, who preferred not to be named. “The other small issues can be resolved but if the violence is not controlled, then why would people risk their lives for their eyesight?”
According to a senior technician at the hospital, there was a time when the hospital had more than 50 patients daily. “But now even ten surgeries in a day is considered a busy day.”
Muhammad Khan from Dadu said that due to the worsening law and order in the area, he preferred to be treated at other hospitals instead of Spencer Eye Hospital. “I felt as if there was a curfew when I visited [the hospital] the first time. I need my eyes but not on the cost of my life,” he said.
The shopkeepers near the hospital also told the same tale, but were hesitant in going into details. “The hospital is in Lyari and everyone knows what is going on in the area,” said one shopkeeper. “It might have been famous at one time but it is no longer a hospital now.”
The hospital’s medical superintendent, Dr Muhammad Anwar, told The Express Tribune that even the staff was afraid. “Our friends advise us to leave this hospital as soon as possible but it is our source of income and it seems that we have become used to this situation.”
Although private hospitals are easily accessible in the city, some patients cannot afford to spend a lot of money and want to get treated here, but they don’t come due to fear, said Dr Anwar.
Lost glory
The hospital, which is currently in crisis, was recognised as one of the top eye hospitals in the country during the era of Dr MH Rizvi, according to doctors. “He was a very social and active person and worked hard to build the reputation of the hospital,” claimed a senior staff member.
Dr Farooq Pathan, the senior Resident Medical Officer of the eye department of the Civil Hospital Karachi, said that the Spencer Eye Hospital was among the two most reputed eye hospitals in the city. “The name and reputation of the hospital can be revived with due attention,” said Dr Pathan.
The Spencer Eye Hospital was given the status of a teaching institute due to its experienced faculty but other problems still remain - there is an acute shortage of medicines, most of the equipments are old and out-dated, air conditioners in the operation theatres are faulty while the roof of the hospital is prone to leakage when it rains.
Shortage of drinking water and frequent power outages also prove troublesome for the patients who prefer to leave the ward within a few hours. “There is no power and water. We’ll have to go back and visit the doctors tomorrow,” complained a patient’s attendant, Qaiser.
“It is the government’s responsibility to maintain one of the oldest and reputed institutes in the city,” commented a senior doctor. “The government needs to look into the basic and genuine issues of the hospital. If we can’t build new institutes, then we should be able to at least save the ones which are already functioning. Imagine what has become of the Spencer Eye Hospital when there isn’t even Pyodine in the operation theatres.”
Published in The Express Tribune, September 28th, 2013.
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Sad as it may look, but to save the hospital and its staff from getting lost, the hospital should try to offer mobile services for anywhere in Balochistan. It's desperately needed there, more so now than any other time. I bet common people or any rich & powerful person can step in for donations and funding. Who knows, before you know other dying hospital go "mobile" too!