Electives surgeries suspended at hospitals

Rainwater gathers on all major roads making it difficult for staff and patients alike to reach hospitals

LAHORE: Operations at medical facilities around the city were suspended due to heavy rain on Tuesday. Rainwater flooded Jinnah Hospital, Mayo Hospital, Mian Munshi Hospital, Lady Willingdon Hospital and Lahore General Hospital, among several others.

Rainwater also gathered on all major roads, making it difficult for staff and patients alike to reach the hospitals.

“Medical procedures scheduled to take place had to be cancelled as our facility is flooded,” said an official from Jinnah Hospital.

“This is the situation at every single hospital. In addition to this, medical staff and senior doctors are also absent as all the roads are flooded. This leave us with no option but to postpone scheduled operations,” he added.

Roofs and walls also reportedly collapsed in many areas of the city. Further, around four people were said to have died after being electrocuted. Meanwhile, an argument broke out between a doctor and the nurses at Lahore Children’s Hospital, which also disrupted operations. The incident resulted in the Young Nurses Association (YNA) refusing to work.



“Dr Shadaab misbehaved with our colleagues. We refuse to work until proper action is taken against him,” said YNA President Amtal.

“We came to work despite the harsh weather, but we still have to put up with the bad behaviour of doctors. This is disappointing,” she added.

Public hospitals across Lahore were reportedly in a state of chaos due to the heavy rain, causing patients to suffer.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 4^th, 2018.