IN a sprawling metropolis like Karachi, where thousands of road accidents and emergencies occur every day, a modern and expansive trauma centre is nothing short of a blessing. The Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Institute of Trauma is widely regarded as the largest and most advanced medical facility in Sindh. On the surface, the institution appears exemplary, but the true measure of a healthcare institution lies not in its infrastructure, but in the dignity it accords to the human beings who cross its threshold.

The most pressing predicament pertains to the hardships endured by patient attendants. While the patients receive clinical care, their families are left to the mercy of the elements. It is a common sight to see attendants compelled to sleep on pavements, by the dusty roadsides, or against the hospital’s exterior walls. Exposed to scorching heat, monsoon rain and swarming insects, these individuals endure a physical toll that is antithetical to the ethos of a welfare state.

There exists a glaring contradiction in the facility’s administrative oversight. Home-cooked meals for patients are strictly prohibited, but gutka and such concoctions permeate the premises easily. One can see people smoking while being close to the intensive care unit (ICU), further compromising the recovery environment for vulnerable patients.

Furthermore, the conduct of security personnel remains a point of contention. Numerous accounts suggest that guards often exhibit abrasive and discourteous behaviour.

However, the most striking symbol of misplaced priorities is the allocation of three entire floors for staff parking. While automobiles are parked at designated spaces, human beings are left to languish on the streets.

Re-allocating even a single floor to serve as a structured waiting area, equipped with basic seating and sanitation would restore some semblance of dignity among the families. The architectural grandeur simply cannot mask the need for essential structural and behavioural reforms.

Dr Sanaullah Rajper
Karachi

Published in Dawn, May 5th, 2026