First of four: OPD evening shift kicks off at HMC

Doctors examine 30 patients between 4pm and 7pm.

PESHAWAR: Hayatabad Medical Complex has formally kicked off its much-needed outpatient department’s evening shift.

The shift was held at HMC initially on a trial basis for three hours on Tuesday during which doctors examined over 30 patients between 4pm and 7pm.

HMC Medical Director Professor Mazhar Khan told The Express Tribune the timings would be extended in case the number of patients increase. “This is something new and people are still unaware of the evening shift,” Khan said.



He said the initial evening shifts would focus on surgery, medicine, paediatrics and gynaecology and would be on a trial basis till the summer vacations, as per the desire of the provincial health department.

“Since doctors are already performing their duties at the emergency ward, we have no problems running an evening OPD shift,” Khan stated. However, certain doctors’ associations expressed their reservations over the plans. Khan said their grievances would soon be addressed.

According to HMC officials, the hospital’s director Dr Khalid Latif Bangash directed the deputy medical superintendent (DMS) OPD, DMS labour room and DMS stores to pay surprise visits during the evening shifts. The officials also said the evening DMS was directed to look after the later shift of the OPD in addition to his other responsibilities.

On March 27, the K-P health department directed the commencement of evening shifts at the OPDs of four hospitals, Lady Reading Hospital (LRH), Khyber Teaching Hospital (KTH), Hayatabad Medical Complex (HMC) and Ayub Medical Complex, in the first phase.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 9^th, 2015.