NAROWAL: The Narowal District Headquarters (DHQ) Hospital canteen has been closed for two months.

According to Dr Aitzaz Iqbal, assistant medical superintendent of the DHQ Hospital, expired cakes and biscuits were being sold at the canteen, and there were numerous complaints about overcharging. He said the canteen was closed due to public outcry.

He said the hospital administration intends to construct a standard cafeteria on the hospital premises. He stated the hospital would provide good meals at controlled costs in the cafeteria. He said the cafeteria would be available to doctors, nurses and other hospital personnel.

District Health Authority’s Chief Executive Officer Dr Khalid Javed stated the closing of the canteen was causing considerable hardship for patients and their families. He said a tender call would be issued in the coming days to reopen the canteen.

Patients demanded the hospital management must speed up the procedure of opening an eatery.

Qurban Ali, of Chak Amarur, 55km from Narowal, said because the hospital’s canteen was closed, he had to cross two roads to acquire food. His son is being treated at the hospital.

Hafeezan Bibi of Lesser Kalan reported that after leaving the patient alone in the ward, she spent an hour bringing warm milk from outside the hospital.

Published in Dawn, January 2nd, 2023