The hospital consists of only 60 beds for 1.4 million children in the district. PHOTO: FILE
GUJRANWALA: Emergency health services for children in Gujranwala are in a dismal state as public facilities lack the ability to treat kids in the case of an urgent situation.
There are 92 basic health units, 23 rural health centres and three tehsil headquarter hospitals, but none of them have special wards for children.
The largest health facility in Gujranwala, the District Headquarter Hospital (DHQ), is also in a shambles due to the lack of funds and resources.
The hospital consists of only 60 beds for 1.4 million children of the district. More than 6,000 patients visit the DHQ on a daily basis.
As one enters the health facility, the dismal situation and miserable condition of patients leaves one wondering about the lack of planning to improve services. At the same time, the hospital lacks staff members, including doctors, consultants and lower staff.
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Due to the shortage of space, a large number of patients visiting the hospital are forced to occupy the open space in front of the main entrance and the hallway leading to the emergency department, where they wait for several hours before they can see a doctor.
When contacted, DHQ’s Childrens’ Ward Head Prof Dr Azhar Hussain Shah told Express News: “We are facing immense problems due to the lack of facilities.” He added that four children share a single bed, while there is only one nurse to look after the 60 that are admitted for treatment.
“In such situations, children are at a high risk of contracting infections and diseases. There is a need to take immediate measures to facilitate the patients.”
He said the hospital administration informed senior authorities about the situation on several occasions, but to no avail.
“Considering the grave situation, we sent a PC-1 to establish a surgical tower, but the government did not approve the project due to the scarcity of funds,” said DHQ Medical Superintendent Dr Anwar Aman,.
While speaking to Express News, Gujranwala Medical College Principal Dr Sami Mumtaz added that a hospital is under construction at the medical college. “We are hoping to start the outpatient department (OPD) in August.”
He added 100 beds will be allocated for children. “We have arranged al the facilities including staff; the new hospital will start functioning soon,” he pointed out.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 27th, 2018.
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