Preparing for the worst: Hospital staff on their toes as uncertainty reigns

Number of patients goes down at PIMS, Polyclinic, doctors complain of stress.


Sehrish Wasif August 22, 2014

ISLAMABAD:


Fear and uncertainty owing to the ongoing sit-in in Red Zone not only prevails among residents of the capital, but is also a cause of worry for people living in far-flung areas who visit Islamabad for medical treatment. 


According to officials of public hospitals, there has been a massive reduction in the number of patients coming to the out-patients departments (OPDs) of hospital on a daily basis since August 14.

Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto (SZAB) Medical University Vice-Chancellor Prof Javed Akram told The Express Tribune that during normal days, Pims receives over 5,000 patients in its OPDs. However, since August 14, hardly 500 patients are visiting as they are scared of road blocks.

“It is estimated that out of the total number of patients that come to Pims everyday, 80 per cent come from far-flung areas and due to these marches, poor patients have stopped coming,” he said.

Though the hospital has resumed carrying out routine surgeries, about 322 were postponed last week, he informed.

Akram said since August 14, the hospital administration is receiving directives from the Islamabad administration requesting to stock 100 blood bags for each blood groups, to keep at least 150 beds vacant, operation theatres empty and ensure presence of all medical staff round the clock.

“A high number of pregnant women have stopped coming for antenatal checkups, 23 scheduled deliveries were not done and many patients suffering from both communicable and non-communicable diseases who had to come for follow-up check-ups could not make it because of the current situation in the capital,” said Akram.

Talking to The Express Tribune, a senior surgeon at Pims who wished not to be named said currently almost all the medical staff is suffering from mental stress and uncertainty.

“They cannot even sleep at night as every time they have a feeling that something bad is about to happen for which they should be prepared,” he said.

He said even while carrying out routine surgeries, doctors feel like soon they will be getting an emergency call from the hospital administration to vacate the operation theater as an emergency situation has occurred. “Many of us are suffering from lack of sleep, fatigue and stress due to the current situation. All we know is that we have to be on toes throughout the day,” he said.

Meanwhile Dr Tanveer Malik, spokesman and head of the emergency department at Policlinic hospital, said for the past one week, the daily patient influx has come to down to 2,000 from 8,000.

“The hospital has been on red alert and all necessary preparedness has been done to tackle any untoward situation,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 22nd, 2014.

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