CM orders probe into poor services at govt hospital

CM inspected fleet of ambulances, most of which were out of order and unfit for use

KARACHI:

Sindh's Caretaker Chief Minister Justice (retd) Maqbool Baqar has ordered an inquiry and audit to determine the reasons behind the shortage of medicines, non-operational ambulances, malfunctioning lab machines, and poor sanitary conditions at the Sindh Government Qatar Hospital.

He issued the order during an unannounced visit to the hospital on Tuesday morning where he inspected various sections, including wards, the OPD, emergency, pharmacy, pediatric wards, and ambulance services.

At the hospital's pharmacy, he was informed that an order for purchase of medicines had been placed on August 25, 2023, but the delivery had not yet been received. The CM reviewed the purchase order and spoke with the vendor over the phone, urging them to provide the medicines within a week; otherwise, they would be blacklisted.

The CM then inspected the fleet of ambulances, most of which were out of order and unfit for use.

After his hospital visit, the CM proceeded to the Orangi police station, where he inspected the FIR register, lockup, 15 Service, wireless room, and malkhana (property room), expressing disappointment totally unorganised system.

The CM noticed two heavy motorcycles of the Shaheen Force abandoned at the police station, both of which were in poor condition. During his inspection of the 15 Service, he found it non-functional with a malfunctioning phone system. He directed the DIG West Zone to conduct an inquiry into this matter.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 20^th, 2023.