Hospitals scramble to improve services

Following Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz's visit to Lahore's Mayo Hospital, which led to the suspension of the medical superintendent due to poor healthcare services, hospital administrators in Rawalpindi have been mobilised to upgrade medical facilities.

Vice Chancellor of Rawalpindi Medical University, Professor Dr Muhammad Umar, convened an emergency meeting, tasking all medical superintendents with ensuring 100 per cent compliance with service improvement directives.

According to sources, efforts are being intensified to enhance medical stores, emergency wards, outpatient departments (OPD), operation theatres, laboratories, and blood banks.

Additionally, strict measures are being implemented to ensure doctors and nurses adhere to duty schedules.

A patient complaint cell has been activated with a quick-response mechanism now under active monitoring.

Sources said a policy has been introduced in Rawalpindi's three major teaching hospitals—Benazir Bhutto General Hospital, Holy Family Hospital, and Rawalpindi Teaching Hospital—to assess and improve treatment facilities in both inpatient and outpatient departments, including emergency and ICU wards.

A special meeting of the medical superintendents of these hospitals was chaired by Dr Muhammad Umar at Rawalpindi Medical University.

The availability and shortcomings of medical services were thoroughly reviewed.

Speaking to Express, Dr Ijaz Butt, Medical Superintendent of Holy Family Hospital, stated that 100 per cent of emergency medicines and 75 per cent of ward medicines are currently being provided.

To address patient complaints more efficiently, a senior doctor has been deployed during evening hours alongside the regular duty medical superintendent (DMS).

Meanwhile, Dr Tahir Rizvi, Medical Superintendent of Benazir Bhutto General Hospital, assured that directives issued in the meeting are being fully implemented.

Special focus is being placed on departments with the highest number of patient complaints, including medical stores, emergency units, laboratories, operation theatres, and OPDs.

Dr Farzana Zafar, Medical Superintendent of Rawalpindi Teaching Hospital, stated that daily reviews of all hospital departments are being conducted as per the vice chancellor's instructions.