Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Institute of Cardiology located in Lyari General Hospital Karachi is facing an acute shortage of specialist doctors and funds since the last few years, it was learned on Monday.
Sources at Lyari General Hospital, on condition of anonymity, said that Shaheed Benazir Institute of Cardiology, a separate institution, was established in Lyari General Hospital during the previous government’s tenure. The institution was constructed on the directives of the former president of Pakistan.
They said that as per PC-1 of the project, the institution building should was meant to have a capacity of 200 beds, but only half that capacity was being worked on due to modification of project. They informed that the administration of Lyari Hospital has been temporary running the affairs of the institution as provincial health authorities have not approved PC-4 for institution
They informed that the hospital administration was running the cardio institution, and other departments such as the OPD, angiography, medicines and other services, on their own. They informed that all the diagnostic equipments were available at the institution but work force could not be provided so far despite the passage of several years.
They said that currently 100 to 150 patients with heart diseases visit the OPD on a daily basis. An angiography service is also available in centre. They said PC-4 for the project could not be approved despite the passage of several years.
They said the institution urgently needed 22 specialist doctors, 15 staff nurses and 40 paramedical staff to run the cardio institution round-the-clock and to cater to patients with cardiovascular diseases at the local level.
They demanded that the Health Minister, Secretary Health and other high-ups provide funds and specialist doctors to run the institution smoothly.
Medical Superintendent Lyari General Hospital Dr Aziz Soomro was not available for comment.
