RAWALPINDI, Jan 16: Patients at the emergency ward of District Headquarters Hospital are being asked to pay for the diagnostic tests following a confusion arising out of separation of evening shift out-patient department and the casualty ward.

Razia Begum, an accident victim, was brought to the hospital with a left leg fracture after being hit by a taxi. The doctors at the casualty ward required an X-ray for which she was asked to pay the charges. However, since she did not have enough money she was refused investigation.

Eye-witnesses said she was offered assistance by the people present there, but the woman preferred to leave the hospital without treatment. They said such cases were common.