RAWALPINDI: Punjab Chief Minister’s Inspection team raised six observations, alleged deficiencies in Benazir Bhutto Hospital (BBH), including stray dogs roaming in different parts of the hospital, and patients purchasing medicines from outside the hospital.

Two days ago, the inspection team visited BBH and compiled the report and submitted it to the Punjab chief minister, stating that stray dogs are roaming in different parts of the hospital, where the sanitation condition was worst, many patients bought medicines from pharmacies outside the hospital.

A senior doctor said that the inspection team found the receptionist absent from the counter, and a long queue of patients had to wait to get the admission slip for treatment.

The X-Ray facility is not available while the condition of the washrooms and corridors is worst.

Report says dogs roam in corridors, highlights absence of X-ray facility

He said that some senior officials and security guards were found sleeping in different parts of the hospitals. He said that the patients were roaming from one department to another without any guidance from the staff.

On the other hand, Divisional Commissioner Abdul Aamer Khattak also visited Rawalpindi Teaching Hospital Raja Bazaar to review administrative and service delivery arrangements.

During the visit, he conducted a detailed inspection of discipline, cleanliness, service delivery and overall administrative affairs. He was accompanied by the Director of Health Services, Medical Superintendent and other relevant officials.

The commissioner carried out a thorough inspection of the Emergency Department, where he met patients under treatment and their attendants. He inquired about the issues faced by patients, the availability of medicines and the quality of medical facilities being provided.

He directed the hospital administration to ensure the uninterrupted provision of clean drinking water in waiting areas and to guarantee the continuous delivery of medical services to the public.

He further instructed that staff attendance in the Emergency Department and other critical units must be ensured at all times, particularly during peak hours, adding that no negligence would be tolerated.

Subsequently, various wards of the hospital were visited, where overall management, sanitation conditions and patient care facilities were reviewed.

The commissioner directed the administration to improve cleanliness standards, strengthen the waste management system and take practical steps to enhance infrastructure.

He also instructed the Assistant Medical Superintendent to ensure the uninterrupted availability of all essential medicines and to strictly implement all clinical protocols as per SOPs.

He emphasised that patients arriving from any area must be treated with dignity without discrimination and must be provided timely and complete medical care.

The commissioner took notice of complaints regarding the parking issue and directed the hospital administration to improve parking management and allocate additional space to facilitate patients and their attendants.

Published in Dawn, February 27th, 2026