PHOTO: EXPRESS
Nishtar Hospital is the only children’s health facility in the city with two wards and around 35 beds that is catering to the needs of the patients from all over South Punjab. However, the government had announced earlier that the capacity of the hospital to house patients will be extended but still the children’s ward has yet to witness an increase in the number of beds.
A paediatrician at Nishtar Hospital, on condition of anonymity, said, “There is an urgent need to establish more children’s hospitals in Multan as beds and other facilities at Nishtar Hospital are insufficient to entertain patients from all over South Punjab.” He said the Children Complex was fully occupied by paediatric patients while the rest were referred to Nishtar Hospital where the occupancy rate was over 250%.
He maintained, “At least 92 patients were admitted in two wards of the Nishtar Hospital some two days back against the capacity of 35 beds.”
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To make things worse, the doctor said there were only 10 staff members and one head nurse, who were performing duties in three shifts.
He pointed out 45% of the total population comprised of paediatric patients for whom more hospitals should be established at the earliest. “In view of the current situation and increasing number of patients, three children are sharing one bed at Nishtar Hospital’s paediatric ward as we cannot refuse patients,” he lamented. He remarked, “This practice is against international laws and the government should take appropriate measures to address the problem.”
The paediatrician said, “It takes a nurse at least six to seven hours to provide the required medication to the patients in one ward only.” He said the children’s ward needed more nurses, paramedics and sanitary workers.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 26th, 2017.
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