Abbasi Shaheed Hospital in shambles

Overflowing gutters, leaking toilets spread diseases at health facility

KARACHI:

The largest hospital of Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) is in a dilapidated condition due to negligence of the authorities concerned, patients and staff members told The Express Tribune during a survey of the tertiary healthcare facility.

A foul stench hangs in the facility due to over flowing gutter and chocked sewage lines. The nauseating sight of sewage on entrance can tell the story of what lies ahead.

Poverty-hit patients come here for free public healthcare, so do the medico-legal cases, however, the third largest government hospital of the port city is a place to catch disease rather than cure due to unhealthy conditions, attendants of the patients said.

Openly flowing sewage from the bathrooms increases the risk of spread of various diseases including diarrhea. Hospital staff, patients and the city wardens deployed for the security of the staff members said that the sewers have been overflowing for over two months, but the administration remains indifferent.

The said that patients entering the facility have to cross the river of filth on a bumpy ride lying on stretchers.

The dilapidated building of hospital oozes foul sewage water. Sewage water keeps splashing on patients sitting in the waiting area in OPD.

Missing medicines

Medicines are also not available at the ASH. It only provides beds and consultation in the name of free medical facilities. There is also acute shortage of medicines, syringes, cannula and surgical tape and other medical supplies in the hospital.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, July 11^th, 2023.