Pakistan Institute of Medical Science (PIMS), the largest public hospital of the federal capital, is in a pathetic condition because of the unhygienic environment, lack of burning incinerators and basic facilities like beds, latest medical equipments and an adequate amount of staff.
Talking to Pakistan Today, patients complained that many sick and injured people were not getting the care that they needed because of a massive shortage of medical equipments, beds and doctors, which undermined the quality of healthcare in the hospital.
A senior member of the Young Doctors Association (YDA) told Pakistan Today that there was no burning incinerator in the hospital while the MRI machines and oxygen flow meters of medical wards were dysfunctional since the last three years.
“The patients here are advised to approach private outlets for common medical tests,” he said.
He admitted that because of the shortage of beds, patients are usually discharged prematurely and thus face the danger of relapsing.
“Over 80 percent of the people have no medical aid, and have no choice but to seek treatment at PIMS which lacks basic facilities of beds, medicines and staff,” he maintained.
Ramiz Mugal, a 70 years heart patient from Mianwali said that the hospital’s laboratory had no proper equipment and was unable to carry out reliable tests.
“We are compelled to go to private laboratories in the blue area,” he added.
The YDA leader further said, “There is no proper ventilation system for the air-conditioning system in the emergency ward. This results in emanation of a bad odour. The toilets were in a deplorable condition and were source of infection. Scores of patients use them daily and these are not even cleaned twice a week”
The General Report Section, where only three staff members were setting, told Pakistan Today that doctors work on 12-hour shifts and had to treat around 1,700 patients in this time. Many patients in the emergency wards were not given proper care due to lack of proper facilities.
A huge number of people from far flung rural areas of Punjab could also be seen at every section of the hospital, particularly outside the X-ray and ultrasound rooms where only two out of four X-ray machines were operational in the evening due to lack of staff. Therefore, patients and their attendants had to wait for hours to get their test report.
A shortage of staff such as nursing assistants, cleaners and porters meant that nurses often had to carry, wash and feed patients, which kept them from nursing responsibilities.
Meanwhile, all the wards and departments of the largest public hospital in Islamabad gave a dirty look due to irregular cleanliness, while Out-Patient Department (OPD), Orthopedic and Neurology Departments, Gyne Ward, Emergency Centre and the laboratory needed urgent attention of the higher authorities.
PIMS spokesman Waseem Khawaja confirmed that there was no burning incinerator and added that the waste was sent to the Holy Family Hospital in Rawalpindi for disposal. He said the emergency wards, including the operation theater, was equipped with latest machines.
“Efforts are underway to improve the environmental conditions in the hospital. More than 5,000 patients visit PIMS everyday, and all are well treated,” he said.
no wonder pakistan is a failed state 🙂
very well written excellent news Keep it up dear Chughtai , highlight some schools and other hospitals too and roads in poor conditions as well…….Good lucks
Comments are closed.