Children’s hospital on verge of closure due to paucity of funds
Around 400 employees haven't received salaries for the last four months
Around 400 employees haven't received salaries for the last four months. PHOTO: FILE
KARACHI:
The Sindh Government Children's Hospital (SGCH), despite being the second largest paediatric care hospital in Karachi, is facing a severe financial crunch due to the non-availability of funds from the Sindh government, as a result of which 400 employees haven't received their salaries for the last four months. The hospital is also facing acute shortage of medicines, causing inconvenience to the parents who come for their children's treatment.
The SGCH, located at Nagan Chowrangi, was handed over to a welfare organisation, Poverty Eradication Initiative (PEI), in 2016 on the basis of a public private partnership programme. PEI was also given a budget by the Government of Sindh for the first year. However, the second year's budget has not been provided yet, due to which the operational and administrative matters of the hospital are facing serious difficulties. Up to 400 workers of the hospital haven't received salaries.
Health, education facilities leave much to be desired: CJP
According to sources affiliated with the hospital, a welfare organisation, aided by members of Sindh Health Department, tried to stigmatise the hospital's name through a negative propaganda and spread rumours of corruption and fraud. As a result, the Sindh government blocked the funds being provided to the hospital.
Now, with the given financial crisis, payment of salaries and running the hospital has become difficult for PEI. The hospital will soon be forced to close down if this issue isn't resolved.
At the same time, the Sindh government also formed an inquiry committee, headed by Information Adviser Murtaza Wahab, to look into the hospital's financial matters and resolve the issues. However, no progress has been made by the committee yet. PEI appealed to the government to fulfil its promise and resume the provision of funds as soon as possible so that the children of the country could get quality medical facilities.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 13th, 2018.
The Sindh Government Children's Hospital (SGCH), despite being the second largest paediatric care hospital in Karachi, is facing a severe financial crunch due to the non-availability of funds from the Sindh government, as a result of which 400 employees haven't received their salaries for the last four months. The hospital is also facing acute shortage of medicines, causing inconvenience to the parents who come for their children's treatment.
The SGCH, located at Nagan Chowrangi, was handed over to a welfare organisation, Poverty Eradication Initiative (PEI), in 2016 on the basis of a public private partnership programme. PEI was also given a budget by the Government of Sindh for the first year. However, the second year's budget has not been provided yet, due to which the operational and administrative matters of the hospital are facing serious difficulties. Up to 400 workers of the hospital haven't received salaries.
Health, education facilities leave much to be desired: CJP
According to sources affiliated with the hospital, a welfare organisation, aided by members of Sindh Health Department, tried to stigmatise the hospital's name through a negative propaganda and spread rumours of corruption and fraud. As a result, the Sindh government blocked the funds being provided to the hospital.
Now, with the given financial crisis, payment of salaries and running the hospital has become difficult for PEI. The hospital will soon be forced to close down if this issue isn't resolved.
At the same time, the Sindh government also formed an inquiry committee, headed by Information Adviser Murtaza Wahab, to look into the hospital's financial matters and resolve the issues. However, no progress has been made by the committee yet. PEI appealed to the government to fulfil its promise and resume the provision of funds as soon as possible so that the children of the country could get quality medical facilities.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 13th, 2018.