TURBAT is a city with a large population but we find one civil hospital. More than 500 patients wait for their turn. We do not find that many doctors as are needed.

Besides, the security guards ask for money before letting anyone in. Just for Rs20, they stop even emergency patients from going inside. At counters you have to pay another Rs20. If one has no money, then there is no check-up. Why do we have to pay for for a government hospital?

I was also once stopped by the security guard who asked me for money, though I was wearing my student card. When I refused, he was furious and about to thrash me when my friend intervened and gave him Rs20.

Ali Jan Mehr

Kech

Published in Dawn, October 26th, 2017