CONDITIONS of government hospitals in Karachi as regards services for patients are pitiable. I happened to visit one such hospital recently, and found that there was no paramedical staff available in the emergency department though there was a long queue of patients waiting for the staff to take up their emergency cases.

I tried to explore the reason for that and found that the staff had gone for a lunch break and hadn’t returned yet though the lunch time was already over.

Finally, the staff arrived and started their work. Those who needed medical were by this time dog-tired.

On asking a patient about the facilities in the hospital, I came to know that the OPD is going on but no medication was available.

The poor people were forced to buy expensive medicines from outside the hospital.

Regarding the condition of the general ward, there was an overload as compared to the capacity of the hospital.

There were at least two patients accommodated on a single bed. Some other patients were adjusted on couches.

There were only two women nurses for more than 50 patients and there was a chaotic situation in the ward.

Sanitary and hygienic conditions of the ward were absolutely pathetic.

Competency of doctors and paramedical staff was also not up to the mark.

There were large numbers of mishandled cases reported because of incompetency and reluctance of the staff due to which poor patients are forced to visit private clinics or hospitals.

This situation can also be witnessed in many other government hospitals all over the country.

It is hoped the authorities concerned would take up this issue on a priority basis to improve the health standard of the people living in Karachi and in other parts of the country.

HUMA JAFFER Karachi