ACCORDING to a survey held recently, hospitals are facing tough times on account of untoward activities, especially in metropolitan cities. Similar challenges are nowadays faced by LUMHS, Civil Hospital, Hyderabad. Patients’ attendants enter hospital OTs and wards by breaking rules and regulations and often misbehave with doctors and the paramedical staff.

A few days ago some people entered the LUMHS Hospital, Hyderabad, and caused extensive damage. They stooped so low as to misbehave with a woman doctor.

Whenever members of political parties are injured and brought to the hospital, their attendants or followers behave strangely as if the hospital is responsible for the situation. On the other hand, the hospital administration takes things lying down and does not ensure security for its staff.

Also, patients and their attendants consider doctors to be solely responsible for the lack of essential services. These incidents are increasing day by day. It has resulted in multifaceted problems.

It has not only affected the hospital environment but has also spread panic amongst doctors and paramedical staff.

There is no substantial deployment of law-enforcement agencies. The policemen already deployed at the hospital instead promote indiscipline rather than control the situation.

Lack of essential services is a big cause that makes patients and their visitors aggressive towards the hospital and its staff. Unavailability of basic drugs and basic necessities like disposable syringes, i/v cannula, catheters, N/G tubes, drip sets and dressing material is a serious problem faced by the hospital.

No plans have yet been considered for providing essential services. Reforms are a must for avoiding further worsening of the problem. First, all staff should be depoliticised. Law-enforcement agencies other than the police can be deployed for better control. An effective supervision system should be put in place to monitor all services.

Doctors must be provided security. Until the whole system is overhauled, neither patients’ care would improve nor the hospital environment for services by doctors.

DR RAHEEL SHEHZAD LUMHS, Jamhsoro