Holy Family’s revamp delayed again
PHOTO: FILE
The renovation and revamping project at Holy Family Hospital (HFH), one of Rawalpindi's largest public hospitals, will not meet its second deadline of March 31, despite towering claims by authorities concerned.
The Rs3 billion worth initiative was launched during the caretaker government’s tenure. The hospital has been closed since October 25, 2023, with the administration rejecting the Communication and Works (C&W) Department's proposal to hand over only the emergency and outpatient department (OPD) by the end of March due to the operational necessity of wards.
HFH, boasting 1,052 beds, shut its doors in October for extensive overhaul and modernisation. Medical Superintendent Dr Ijaz Butt confirmed the completion of a small part of the project. However, the full scope of work, including the new block, is yet to be finished as per the health secretary's revised deadline.
With HFH closed, patients have been redirected to Benazir Bhutto General Hospital (BBGH), District Headquarters Hospital (DHQ), and Rawalpindi Institute of Urology and Transplantation (RIUT), already strained healthcare facilities. Queues of patients have assembled in the OPD and emergency department, while patients approaching the surgery and orthopaedic departments are being given appointments of three to four months from now.
The closure particularly affects women, given HFH's prominent Gynecology department, adding strain to other hospitals with limited capacity.
While some HFH departments found temporary homes at BBGH, DHQ, RIUT, and Red Crescent Hospital, the redistribution hasn't alleviated the strain, especially for patients in need of specialised care. The dengue ward and related services were shifted to Red Crescent Hospital due to its capacity, but other departments remain dispersed among overburdened facilities.
The prolonged closure of HFH has exacerbated challenges for impoverished and middle-class patients, lacking viable alternatives. The delay in reopening adds pressure to an already strained healthcare system, highlighting the urgent need to complete the renovation promptly and ensure seamless healthcare access for the local community.
Residents continue to face hardships as uncertainty looms over HFH's reopening schedule, emphasising the critical role this institution plays in meeting healthcare needs in Rawalpindi. Efforts to expedite the remaining work and prioritise patient care are essential to mitigate the current healthcare crisis caused by HFH's closure.
Shortage of medicines has also been reported in other public hospitals. Even patients admitted to the hospital are suffering from a lack of essential medicines’ availability. They are forced to buy medicines by visiting external pharmacies.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 26th, 2024.