Attendants find hospital arrangements satisfactory

Large queues of those wanting to donate blood witnessed at all hospitals

LAHORE: Most attendants with people admitted to various hospitals in the city for treatment of injuries suffered in Sunday’s terrorist attack at Gulshan-i-Iqbal Park said they were satisfied with facilities, including essential medicines and blood supplies.

Kausar Shaukat, whose 16-year-old daughter suffered multiple head injuries in the blast, said she was satisfied with treatment facilities at Jinnah Hospital. She said so far there had been no complaints about availability of medicines or blood. As many as 69 people had lost their lives in the attack and 370 suffered injuries. Of the injured, 122 were taken to Jinnah Hospital, 70 to Lahore General Hospital, 59 to Shaikh Zayed Hospital, 46 to Services Hospital, 35 to Farooq Hospital, 20 to Ganga Ram Hospital and 18 to Mayo Hospital. As many as 198 were treated for their injuries and discharged by the time this report was filed on Monday and 172 remained admitted at various hospitals. Information desks were set up at these hospitals to address complaints of visitors and attendants.

Overwhelming response to blood donation calls 

The response to calls for blood donation was overwhelming on Monday as well. Long queues were witnessed at all hospitals where the injured were admitted. The donors included both Muslims and Christians who said that both communities had suffered from the attack and religious differences should not hamper relief efforts.

Sunail Bhatti, a Youhanabad resident, said he had come to donate blood for those injured in the attack. “I don’t know anyone who was injured in the blast and I’m not concerned with the religious beliefs of those benefiting from my donation,” he said. He said he and others queued up at the hospital lawn were concerned just with donating blood. “I don’t care if the recipient is a Muslim or a Christian,” he said.

Camaraderie among attendants

A similar camaraderie was visible among attendants of injured.

Owing to shortage of beds, Kausar Shaukat’s daughter Kajal Shaukat had to share the bed with another injured Muhammad Rameez. Rameez’s uncle Muhammad Naeem said Kausar Shaukat had looked after his nephew when a rescue team brought him to the hospital with severe head injuries on Sunday night. He said he and some other relatives had later found out about Rameez’s injuries and arrived at the hospital. “She took care of him [Rameez] like her own child. We’re grateful to her,” he said.  “Muslims and Christians have suffered from the tragedy. It’s our common problem,” said Kausar Shaukat.She said her daughter had gone to the park with some relatives. She said two of Kajal’s cousins had lost their lives in the attack.

Speaking to The Express Tribune, the teenager said that she could still feel the smell of the explosive.  Cooperation urged to ensure efficient relief efforts

During a visit to Jinnah Hospital, Bishop of Pakistan Samuel Azaria urged the public to cooperate with one another without regards to religious differences in ensuring efficient relief to those injured in the attack.

He regretted that the government had not made adequate security arrangements at the park. “Everybody knew it was Easter Sunday and a large number of visitors was expected at recreational sites,” he said. “I wish the government is successful in its crackdown on extremism,” he said.

Tragic: Family picnic ruined as two die in blast

Two members of a Sahiwal family visiting the Gulshan-i-Iqbal Park for a picnic on Sunday lost their lives in the terrorist attack. The deceased were identified as Sakina Bibi, 48; and one of her nieces one-and-a-half year old Javeria Shahid.  Sakina’s brother-in-law Zafar Hussain, 57, said another 23 of his relatives who were present at the park when the attack took place were injured and admitted to various hospitals in the city. He said eight others were discharged after treatment for their wounds. Hussain said he had taken 40 members of his family to spend the weekly holiday in Lahore. He said before going to the Gulshan-i-Iqbal Park the family had visited the Minar-i-Pakistan monument. Hussain said he had taken his family to Lahore to let them have a joyful weekend but it had turned out a dreadful experience. Funeral prayers for the deceased were offered on Monday at a mosque in Chak 86/6 R.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 29^th, 2016.