PML-N rally side effects: People prefer to stay home

Attendance low in schools partly because of sweltering heat

Asma Ghani August 10, 2017

PML-N supporters take part in Nawaz Sharif’s rally. PHOTO: REUTERS

ISLAMABAD: People preferred to postpone their plans fearing possible inconvenience and any untoward situation due to the rally of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) led by the former premier Nawaz Sharif.

Although alternate routes were announced to manage traffic flow, low turnout was witnessed at hospitals due to road closures and patients, especially those who come from surrounding areas did not turn up.

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At Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) doctors said in Outpatient Departments (OPD) there were less number of patients than usual days. “Usually we see about 150 patients in cardiac OPD but today there were around 60 only,” said Dr Fariddulah Khan, from cardiology department. The staff also complained difficulty in reaching the hospital, he added.

Another doctor from gastroenterology said the percentage of patients was far low as compared to other working days. Hundreds of patients come to the department with the complaints of gastro but today there were nearly 50, he added.

At National Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine too the patient flow was less than the routine days. Usually we examine about 25 patients in urology department but today there were only 12 patients, said Dr Sarwar.

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An elderly patient, Abdul Rahim, who lives in Bara Kahu said he had to visit an eye department for check-up, “{but I decided not to go as I might get stuck and would not be able to reach the hospital.”

In some cases patients and the hospital staff who came from Rawalpindi were stuck at the hospital and on roads in the day when rally was on its way from Islamabad to Rawalpindi.

In schools too attendance was low partly because of sweltering heat, recently ended summer vacations and the rally.

Overall the attendance is already low because Monday was the first working day after long vacations and usually many students don’t turn up in first week as they go to their hometowns, said a teacher. After August 14 proper academic activity will start, he added.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 10^th, 2017.