Health dept gets Rs2b to overhaul hospitals

CM finds stained bedsheets, poor services during surprise visit

RAWALPINDI:

The caretaker minister for primary and secondary healthcare in Punjab, Dr Jamal Nasir said on Tuesday that the chief minister had approved more than Rs2 billion in funds to improve facilities at Rawalpindi's hospitals.

The announcement came after Punjab’s caretaker chief minister, Mohsin Naqvi, made a surprise visit to the Holy Family Hospital (HFH).

Dr Nasir said Rs1.8 billion had been set aside to revamp the HFH. The upgradation of the out-patient department at the Benazir Bhutto Hospital would be carried out at a cost of Rs160 million, he added.

Earlier in the day, the chief minister found blood-stained bedsheets in wards, long queues at reception, shortage of ventilators and air conditioners not functional in several wards during a surprise visit to the HFH.

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He expressed his displeasure at the poor sanitation arrangements, non-supply of medicines, and the dilapidated state of beds among other things.

Naqvi gave seven days to the medical superintendent (MS) and vice chancellor to rectify the situation while warning them of another visit. Rawalpindi Medical University VC Dr Muhammad Umar and MS Dr Ijaz Butt were accompanying the minister. “If the situation is not resolved, strict action will be taken against those responsible,” Naqvi said.

The CM also spoke to patients regarding treatment and service at the hospital as well as the standard of hygiene and cleanliness.

Patients and their attendants complained about the inadequacy of sanitation arrangements. Several patients showed blood-stained sheets to the chief minister to highlight the problem, said those accompanying the provincial executive.

They pointed out that they had to undergo tests and buy medicines from private hospitals, laboratories and chemists. They also accused the guards stationed at the hospital of demanding bribes.

The patients complained about delay in treatments, suggesting that bribes were demanded to get a patient ahead in the waiting queue. They said patients needing ventilators also had to face prolonged delays, sometimes fatally.

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It warrants mention that for the last five months, Dr Jahangir Sarwar was serving as part-time MS. Dr Butt was given the charge of additional MS recently.

Those at the hospital said a full-time MS was essential to manage the affairs of the hospital.

Funds disbursement

Dr Jamal, meanwhile, pointed out that Rs100 million had been set aside for work at the District Headquarters (DHQ) Hospital.

Meanwhile, the budget of Tehsil Headquarters (THQ) Hospital, Murree, had been restored for 82 beds, he said. Six dialysis machines have been provided to the hospital, he added. A new ward of 28 beds would be added to THQ Murree. At least 22 new nurses would be hired to overcome staff shortage, the minister said.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 23^rd, 2023.