Allied hospitals ill-prepared to meet flood emergency

During last year’s floods, Punjab government stopped providing funds for maintenance of required equipment.


Express July 11, 2011

RAWALPINDI:


Administrations of the three allied hospitals of the city have yet to complete arrangements to cope with flood related emergencies.


In a meeting at Holy Family Hospital (HFH) on Sunday, doctors and staff of HFH, Benazir Bhutto Hospital and District Headquarters Hospital (the three allied hospitals), expressed concern over the lack of measures taken to prepare them to meet any emergencies in case of flooding. The meeting was chaired by Dr Muhammad Aslam, chairperson of Rawalpindi Medical College (RMC) and the three allied hospitals.

They said that the Punjab Health Secretary had directed the hospitals to form special teams that would ensure proper treatment of the flood victims; however, little steps have been taken to fulfil these directives.

They highlighted shortage of funds, life-saving drugs, beds, equipment, and absence of special teams of doctors to cater to flood victims. They also highlighted the shortage of life-saving drugs to treat snake bites and gastro, which are common during floods.

RMC chairperson Dr Aslam and Principal Dr Afzal Farooqi assured the doctors and the staff that all medicines and equipment required to treat flood victims will be provided to the hospitals at the earliest.

During last year’s floods, the Punjab government stopped providing funds for provision or maintenance of required equipment, which put extra burden on the cash-starved hospitals.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 11th, 2011.

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