Kharadar Hospital: Celebrating 75 years with 1,000 patients and free medical camp

Doctors surprised at number of patients showing up from Baldia Town, Keamari and Lyari.

KARACHI:

We started off nearly 75 years ago with 50 beds and were called the Cement Maternity Home, nostalgically recalled Dr Farah Naz, who heads the Kharadar General Hospital’s obstetrics and gynaecology department. “Now we are a hospital with beds for around 200 patients and can provide them good facilities.”

To celebrate the hospital’s platinum jubilee, a free gynae camp was organised for people in the nearby areas. Dr Naz said that this medical camp would help everyone remember why the hospital was built and underscore the importance of women’s health.

The department offers routine check-ups and tackles complications. She added that they tried their best to use the minimally invasive keyhole laparoscopic and laser surgeries that avoid cutting open the stomach. “Our maternity services offer care for women during pregnancy, childbirth and postnatal periods,” she said. “The department is fully equipped with a maternity unit, which has a built-in labour OT, labour rooms and a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.” She added that they also provided breast feeding counseling, as well as antenatal counselling sessions to the mothers.

Almost 1,000 patients registered for the camp, while the rest had to be sent home. Most of the patients were from Kharadar, Baldia Town, Keamari and Lyari. “I am grateful to the hospital for providing us with free medical facilities,” said Tara Begum from Baldia Town. “Even if it is for one day, I am happy I got this opportunity because I cannot afford this otherwise.” The hospital had arranged for eight gynecologists, consultation clinics, medicine and information stalls. “I have never seen such a big crowd in my entire career,” remarked Dr Azra while talking to a patient from Keamari. “It shows that women are concerned about their health but do not have enough money.” The hospital’s president, Muhammad Bashir Jan Muhammad, told The Express Tribune that the only way to compensate for the misery was to promote health and create awareness among people.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 23^rd, 2011.