Staff shortage hits Multan hospital

The Children's Hospital, which is renowned for its comprehensive pediatric care, was currently facing a critical shortage of medical staff, posing challenges for the administration in accommodating patients not only from South Punjab but also from the interior regions of Sindh and Balochistan provinces, said official sources.

Despite a designated bed capacity of 550, the hospital had been routinely admitting up to 700 children, reflecting the overwhelming demand for its diverse services, including specialised procedures like heart surgeries and dialysis, they said.

There were approximately 70 vacancies of doctors lying vacant, 50 of nurses, 10 of head nurses and 150 of paramedics.

Sources said that the administration was also faced with another challenge: there were only 10 rooms for a nursing staff of 300.

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The hospital administration said that measures to alleviate the strain on existing facilities were underway.

Construction of a new emergency unit comprising 100 beds had been under progress. This development aimed to significantly enhance the hospital's capacity to cater to the needs of the child patients.

The construction was slated for completion by December, offering a promising prospect for improved services and increased accommodation for the influx of children requiring medical care.

The pending expansion of the emergency unit stood as a beacon of hope, promising relief for both the hospital staff and, more importantly, the patients.

This development was poised to fortify the hospital's capacity for offering comprehensive care and ensuring a smoother, more efficient treatment experience for children from various regions, the sources said.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 6^th, 2023.