RECENTLY, I went to the Civil Hospital, Hyderabad, for the treatment of one of my relatives where I saw horrible conditions. The sewer lines were leaking at various places and the wards were smelly.

Bed sheets were dirty and toilets had a foul smell. There was complete chaos in OPD because there were many patients, not enough doctors. The doctors, as a result, were harsh with the patients and looked tired.

I found a majority of patients affected by seasonal diseases like pneumonia, hepatitis, malaria and diarrhoea.

Mostly children were affected by these diseases.

The equipment at the laboratory was out of order. If any machine was in order, people were paying high diagnostic charges.

Only those who cannot afford private healthcare go to government hospitals where there are treated badly.

The government must increase the budget for healthcare and reform the sector. I request government provide diagnose services at government hospitals free of charge.

Rasheed Mangrio

Hyderabad

Published in Dawn, August 15th, 2016