THERE are reports that the Sindh health department has launched a crackdown against absentee doctors in [several] districts. During this operation 181 doctors were found … not performing their duties regularly. …

The secretary health has admitted that around 20pc of doctors in every district of the province are absentees. The health department was set up for the health of the people, but apparently the department itself needs treatment.

Health centres and hospitals set up in urban and rural areas have remained of no use to the common man despite having a budget of millions of rupees. Availability of medicines is a distant cry; poor patients are not even getting free syringes and cotton at these public health facilities. … Doctors are busy in their private clinics hence they do not have the time to attend to official duties. …

…[T]he health system in Sindh is in the doldrums. … Even in cities and towns … specialists and doctors … do not bother to attend the wards … hence patients are at the mercy of trainee doctors.

Earlier the police department was infamous for bribery. Now the education and health departments have gone beyond the police department. Unless the system [is reformed] providing healthcare to the public will remain a distant dream. … — (Oct 13)

Selected and translated by Sohail Sangi.