No medicines for emergency ward

LAHORE:

One of the country's largest emergency medical wards operating in the Mayo Hospital is proving unable to provide the patients beds, medicines and medical services.

A large number of patients from remote areas of Punjab are also brought to the ward.

According to patients and attendants, they face problems in acquiring medicines, laboratory services, ventilators and beds because of high demand. They also complained of poor security arrangements.

Last week, a patient in the ward was shot dead by some assailants in front of doctors, nurses and other patients.

An official told The Express Tribune that the Mayo Hospital emergency department deals with around 3,000 patients daily. The number almost doubles in days of calamities and disasters.

The hospital is situated near the densely populated old city area. A large number of people from Qila Gujjar Singh, Krishan Nagar, Islam Pura, Shahdara, Kareem Park, Garhi Shahu and adjoining areas depend on it for emergency medical care.

Besides Lahore, serious and emergency patients from nearby cities, including Muridke, Gujranwala, Sheikhupura, Narowal, Kasur and Kamokay are also referred to Mayo Hospital.

Being a major public sector hospital, its emergency ward is the first priority for patients in cases of accidents, disasters and severe illnesses.

A large number of attendants of patients stay at the Musafir Khana of Mayo Hospital.

Speaking to The Express Tribune, several of them complained of unavailability of medicines and beds and lack of options for them because of their financial constraints.

"We are purchasing medicines from outside the hospital at high prices. In the past, free medicines used to be available here but now even routine medicines are not available," complained a patient, Umer Hayat.

"The patients belong to poor families that are struggling to survive but doctor the ward advise their attendants to make arrangements for their medicines and tests," said Muhammad Bashir, an attendant.

He said his complaints in this regard had been ignored by the hospital officials.

"The previous government had not released ample budget to the hospitals of the province and spent more funds on the health card scheme. Timely payments were not made to the pharmaceutical and security companies, which had an impact on the facilities for the patients," said Dr Salman Kazmi of Mayo Hospital, adding that the problems could be solved by increasing the annual budget of the hospital.

When contacted, Mayo Hospital MS Dr Munir Ahmed said the institution provided emergency care to around 3,000 patients daily, but the issues of lack of medicines and inadequate security did not fall in his domain.

"The Mayo Hospital emergency ward has extensive medical facilities but a few patients may have faced issues," claimed a spokesman, Sayed Hamad Raza.

He said maximum funds would be allocated for the health facilities in the coming budget, which would help improve the conditions in the hospitals, including the ward.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 16^th, 2023.