RAWALPINDI: Punjab Caretaker Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi conducted a surprise visit to Holy Family Hospital (HFH) and expressed concern over inadequacies in medical facilities and distressing patient conditions, whereas the Punjab health minister stated that Rs2 billion would be spent to improve the condition of hospitals in Rawalpindi.

Patients and their attendants voiced a multitude of complaints during the visit. The caretaker CM issued a stern warning to the medical superintendent while giving a week’s deadline for significant improvements.

Though the visit of the chief minister was said to be a surprise, the district administration informed all the departments to prepare ahead of the visit. Patients complained about doctors recommending pathological tests from private laboratories established near the hospital.

Disturbingly, specific wards exhibited unsanitary conditions, including broken beds and bloodstains on bed linens. Patients also lamented treatment delays, prolonged reception queues, and the unavailability of ventilators for select cases. The visit revealed certain wards experiencing overcrowding and dire conditions due to insufficient resources. Expressing his deep concern over the worst conditions, Mohsin Naqvi ordered measures to enhance facilities on an urgent basis.

Rs2bn to be spent on Rawalpindi hospitals: minister

The CM checked the treatment facilities and inquired about the well-being of patients and the facilities provided to them. He also inspected emergency, children and dengue wards and the medical unit as well as listened to the patient’s problems and issued directions to resolve them.

Additionally, grievances emerged regarding monetary demands from hospital guards for various services. Subsequently, a significant development emerged as several guards, accused of extorting money from patients and their attendants, were apprehended by the police.

Rs2bn for Pindi hospitals

Meanwhile, Punjab Caretaker Minister for Primary and Secondary Health Care and Population Welfare Dr Jamal Nasir said that CM Naqvi provided funds of more than Rs2 billion to improve the conditions of hospitals in Rawalpindi.

He said that Rs1.8 billion will be provided for the revamping of the Holy Family Hospital, while Rs160 million have been provided for the up-gradation of the OPD of Benazir Bhutto Hospital. The emergency and OPD of the DHQ Hospital will be improved with the allocation of Rs100 million. He made these comments while presiding over meetings at Holy Family and BBH during his separate visits.

The caretaker minister said CM Naqvi issued special instructions regarding the improvement in treatment facilities in THQ Murree and now its budget has been restored in accordance with its 82 beds capacity. He said that six dialysis machines have been provided to THQ Murree and the training of technical staff has been completed as well.

He said that a new ward of 28 beds is also being added to the THQ, adding that 22 nurses would be hired as well to meet the staff shortage. Dr Nasir said that the capacity of the Potohar rehab centre was being increased from 50 to 100 beds in Wah General Hospital while a centre for differently-abled people was also being established at the same hospital.

Published in Dawn, August 23rd, 2023