Families allege harassment by hospital parking staff

HARIPUR:

Relatives of patients have complained that the conduct of parking staff at the Haripur District Headquarters (DHQ) Hospital has become a major source of distress for visitors seeking medical treatment.

According to attendants, the behaviour of what they described as a "parking mafia" has reached alarming levels, with parking staff allegedly taking advantage of patients and their families.

They claimed that as soon as a vehicle or motorcycle enters the hospital premises, parking attendants issue parking slips without inquiry and often behave rudely towards both men and women. According to the complainants, resistance frequently leads to arguments, verbal abuse and aggressive behaviour.

Relatives of patients said they were already under stress due to illness and treatment concerns, but parking staff allegedly demanded money in a forceful manner. They further alleged that there was no visible rate list and receipts were often not provided, while questions regarding charges frequently resulted in confrontations.

They claimed that elderly patients, women and children were also subjected to such treatment.

Citizens have urged the DC and the MS of DHQ Hospital to take immediate action against the parking contractor and employees accused of misconduct.