Patients suffer after doctors resign from emergency ward

Shortage of medics has affected provision of timely health services to patients

GUJRANWALA: Patients visiting Tehsil Headquarter Hospital Kamoke have been facing problems as three medical officers on emergency duty have resigned. Earlier, two doctors also submitted resignations raising the total number to five, while only three doctors remain on duty.

Officials told Express News that the Punjab government inducted the said doctors who had completed their specialisation and were appointed on a monthly salary of Rs150,000 to perform an eight-hour duty.

They added the doctors were appointed as emergency medical officers (EMP). They maintained that due to workload and stress, the doctors failed to perform eight hour shift and resigned from the job.

Officials said that earlier a lady doctor and a male doctor resigned from the duty after which only five EMOs were performing duties.

However, on Tuesday, three more EMOs identified as Dr Zahid, Dr Farooq and Dr Imran also resigned. Now, only three doctors are responsible for looking after the patients in emergency ward during the day and night shifts.



The situation has created problems for the patients as shortage of doctors have affected the provision of timely health service.

When contacted, THQ Hospital Doctor Muhammad Fayyaz confirmed that five doctors of the hospital have resigned. He added, “Doctors who are performing duties in other departments have temporarily been appointed at the emergency ward to provide maximum relief to the patients.”

When inquired whether there are any plans to hire new doctors, he told Express News that the hospital will soon have new doctors on permanent appointments.

Meanwhile, the citizens have requested the Provincial Health Secretary Imran Nazir and Gujranawala commissioner to immediately appoint EMOs to enable full provision of health facilities.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 17^th, 2018.