2,500 patients await bypass surgery at PIC, LHC told

LHC seeks replies over allegations of delayed, inadequate medical facilities for heart patients

LAHORE:

The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Thursday sought replies from the Punjab government, the Health Secretary and the Medical Superintendent of the Punjab Institute of Cardiology (PIC) over allegations of delayed and inadequate medical facilities for heart patients.

Justice Khalid Ishaq heard a petition filed by the Judicial Activism Panel, which raised concerns about prolonged delays in life-saving cardiac procedures at the state-run hospital.

Counsel for the petitioner submitted that patients in need of open-heart surgery are facing waiting periods ranging from eight months to one year, with approximately 2,500 patients currently on the waiting list for bypass surgery.

The court was further told that patients must wait two to three months for echocardiography and angiography, while CT angiography and thallium scans reportedly involve delays of three to six months.

The petitioner also alleged that some patients suffering from minor heart attacks are being discharged from the emergency department without adequate treatment and are referred to outpatient departments for extended follow-up appointments.

It was argued that the lack of timely medical intervention is placing patients' lives at serious risk and compelling underprivileged individuals to seek costly treatment at private hospitals due to long waiting lists at PIC.

The petitioner urged the court to direct the authorities to ensure the provision of improved and timely cardiac care at the institute.