VEHARI: A young heart patient allegedly died on Wednesday at the local district headquarters hospital because of unavailability of a cardiologist at the facility.

Ramzan, a resident of Liaqatpura locality, was rushed to the hospital in the evening after he complained chest pain.

The on-duty doctor referred him to the cardiology ward which was not functional because of the absence of a cardiologist in the evening shift. Ramzan died without being provided even first aid.

Hospital Medical Superintendent Dr Shahid Saleem claimed he was not aware of the incident, but admitted there was no cardiologist and allied staff available for running the cardiology ward in the evening.

He said the hospital offered only outdoor facility for cardiac patients from 9am to 2pm.

He said that in the evening shift no checkup facility was available for heart patients due to shortage of doctors and the paramedical staff.

He said most of heart patients visiting the hospital were referred to some cardiac care facility in Multan.

He said he had written to the health authorities concerned for the appointment of a cardiologist for the evening shift and any response was awaited.

The area people have appealed to Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif to provide the required staff for hospital’s cardiology ward on a priority basis to save precious lives.

Published in Dawn, October 23rd, 2014