Health facilities: DCO unhappy with state of THQ hospital

Says he has had to point out cleanliness issues on two visits in a row

DERA GHAZI KHAN: District Coordination Officer Nadeemur Rehman expressed displeasure on seeing broken air conditioners, poor cleanliness and locked rooms at the Taunsa Tehsil Headquarters Hospital during a visit to the facility on Saturday.

The DCO ordered the hospital administration to open the rooms and told them to facilitate the patients there. He checked various wards and the hospital pharmacy. He ordered the administration to install air conditioners in the pharmacy and ordered repair of broken air conditioners at the hospital.

“The hospital should have uninterrupted power supply,” he said. He inquired about back-up generators at the hospital and ordered the administration to get the generators required.

The DCO also expressed displeasure over the state of the building. “Several sections of the hospital urgently require repairs. Why hasn’t action been taken on this yet? We cannot endanger lives of the hospital staff and patients by keeping them in a dangerous building.”

The DCO pointed out poor cleanliness. “The ceilings, walls and the floors all need a wash. This is the second time I have had to point out poor cleanliness during a visit.”

“Rs20 million has been spent on renovation and repairs, yet conditions in the hospital are deplorable,” he said.

“If more funds are needed, they can be provided. But it seems as if those in charge here do not feel responsible,” he said.

The DCO also ordered removal of unauthorised parking lots around the hospital. “The hospital is almost inaccessible because of wrongly parked cars,” he said.

The Taunsa assistant commissioner was also present.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 3^rd, 2016.