Hospital or dispensary?

Health and education are the two most important things that need to get the government’s attention on a priority basis

There is nothing new in this. Health and education of the people are the two most important things that need to get the government’s attention on a priority basis. A sound mind, they say, in a sound body. But these two vital sectors continue to defy this time-tested adage. There are many public hospitals in the country which lack medicines and related services. Now there is news that there is a severe shortage of medicines and other health-related facilities in a government hospital in Rehri Goth, located on the outskirts of Karachi, so locals describe it as a dispensary and not as a proper hospital.

The health facility is meant to serve 500,000 residents of four union councils. Those residing in these villages have to go to hospitals in the city to get proper treatment, even though the travelling expense is as high as Rs3,000. This is a prohibitive cost for many of the villagers. Most villagers are from the low income group. Women of these villages need to be sensitised on breast cancer and also about the importance of birth control. However, counseling on these basic issues affecting women’s lives is not available, let alone diagnosis and treatment facilities for such diseases and issues. In the absence of proper facilities in the area hospital, villagers have to depend on medical camps set up by NGOs. So these voluntary organisations are trying to fill the gap left by the government.

Recently, there were news reports that another government hospital supposedly catering to the needs of villagers residing on the periphery of the city does not have enough medicines and also lacks the required facilities. This hospital functions for only four hours daily, a fact endorsed by those working at the hospital. It has a shining and impressive building though. Even at big hospitals where most of the needed facilities are available, their toilets are so dirty that many vomit there. Even the common people understand where such unhygienic conditions lead to. Applaud those who suffer.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 28^th, 2021.

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