The deplorable state of healthcare services at the DHQ Hospital in Balochistan’s district Shaheed Sikandar Abad, Surab needs urgent attention. The negligence and inefficiency of this vital institution are endangering lives, as tragically exemplified by a recent incident in my family.
Early one morning, due to a wall collapse at our home, two family members — a pregnant woman and a man — sustained critical injuries. We rushed them to the DHQ hospital Surab, hoping for immediate medical attention. To our dismay, not a single doctor was available there. Instead, two unskilled staff members were present, unsure of what to do and attempting to call a doctor for guidance.
After an agonising wait of over one and a half hours, the pregnant woman succumbed to her injuries. And her unborn child too could not open the eyes. Meanwhile, the male patient was left in a dire condition due to a lack of medical attention and equipment. To make matters worse, no ambulance was available to transfer the patients to the nearer city of Khuzdar for the emergency treatment, as no driver was available.
Shockingly, even after two hours, the Medical Superintendent arrived, showing no concern for the tragic loss of life or the poor state of the hospital. This facility, the largest in the district and located near a major highway prone to accidents, is woefully ill-equipped to handle emergencies.
The relevant authorities must ensure: 24/7 presence of qualified doctors and paramedical staff at the hospital; provision of adequate medical equipment and life-saving facilities at the hospital; availability of functional ambulances along with drivers at all times; and accountability of hospital management to prevent such negligence in the future.
This situation demands urgent attention to prevent further loss of innocent lives. The authorities must act swiftly to restore public trust in the healthcare system.
Owais Reki
Surab
