With expansion in facilities, govt hospital to treat more people
Even as the media assembled to cover the inauguration of two newly renovated units of the Sindh Government Hospital in Korangi No. 5 on Monday, rickshaws, buses and ambulances continued to ferry in patients to the emergency ward.
The hospital’s casualty unit was enlarged to 22 beds, including an operation theatre for minor injuries, and a portable x-ray unit, explained the ward’s in-charge, Dr Shehzad Akhter.
The cardiac emergency unit was expanded to contain eight beds, including a six-bed coronary care unit, a small operation theatre, as well as ECG, ETT, echo cardiographs and cardiac monitoring facilities, said the unit’s in-charge, Dr Rabia Rehman.
Medical superintendent Dr Capt Mirza Ali Raza said that nearly 600 people report to the casualty and about 3,000 visit various out-patient clinics every day.
Dr Raza added that one of the problems facing the hospital was the numerous drug peddlers who had taken refuge in dens close to the hospital. “The entire area had to be purged of the addicts and a boundary wall was constructed to create a patient-friendly environment.”
“We would not take our children to the hospital’s [OPDs], let alone the emergency unit, because of these drug addicts,” said Majida, who was visiting the hospital with her grandson.
Dr Sajid Masood, the hospital administrator, added that facilities for angioplasty, angiography and other procedures would soon be available at the cardiac unit.
The government hospital already has a plastic and reconstructive surgery department, where patients undergo doing aesthetic and reconstruction surgeries for free. Dr Nasiruddin Khan said that the department carries out reconstructive surgeries like those for correcting congenital anomalies of a cleft lip, cleft palette, hand deformities and burns, among others. “It is a misconception that only patients who live in posh areas are aware of body aesthetics.”
Sindh Health Minister Dr Sagheer Ahmed, who was the chief guest on the occasion, lauded the efforts of the people involved in renovating the hospital. He also announced that the government would establish the Karachi Medical College in Korangi. Provincial minister for environment Sheikh Mohammad Afzal was also present on the occasion.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 22nd, 2012.
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