Severe staff shortage at RIUT to treat Covid-19 patients

The Rawalpindi Institute of Urology and Liver Transplant (RIUT) is facing a severe shortage of doctors and paramedical staff.

Only 20 doctors are available in four shifts to look after 70 patients who are under treatment at present, while 60 medical practitioners and staff working under them have left after the completion of their three-month contract. As a result doctors and nurses are forced to perform the duties of ward staff.

The RIUT has been serving as the main treatment facility for covid-19 patients since the pandemic outbreak. However, owing to a shortage of staff, there is immense pressure on the remaining doctors, and the workload on them is likely to increase further with the fourth wave of coronavirus.

Owing to weekly off days, only four doctors are available in one shift to look after the 70 patients under treatment at the facility. On the other hand, the Punjab government has failed to develop a regular structure for doctors, nurses, and other staffers. Owing to the non-availability of permanent posts for lower-staff, they are hired on a daily-wage basis for three months.

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The RIUT Medical Superintendent (MS) Dr Nausheen Mehboob recently visited the provincial capital, Lahore, seeking the deployment of additional doctors and staff. She was assured that additional staff would be provided by next week.

Meanwhile, Rawalpindi Medical University (RMU) Vice Chancellor Dr Muhammad Umar taking notice of the difficulties being faced due to a shortage of staff has summoned a meeting on Monday. It will review the deployment of medical workers from the other three hospitals of Rawalpindi.

Punjab Health Minister Dr Yasmin Rashid has also reviewed the issues regarding treatment at RIUT but has not commented as to what measures are going to be taken in this regard.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 3^rd, 2021.