PESHAWAR, Feb 13: Shortage of trained staff, equipment and life-saving medicines is posing a threat to the seriously ill patients in the casualty department of the Khyber Teaching Hospital.

"Many patients die in the hospital of manageable injuries because of shortage of staff, drug and equipment in the casualty ward," said a doctor. A 14-year-old schoolboy, Mudir, died of compound fracture in the orthopaedic ward of the hospital on Jan 13.

Mudir, of Landi Kotal, had fallen from a bus on the Nasirbagh Road and was brought to the casualty ward. Due to profuse bleeding, he went into coma and his blood pressure and pulse were not record able. The medical officer gave him life-saving medicines and referred him for X-rays of pelvis and right femur.

"The orthopaedic ward staff tried to save his life but he died after remaining there for two hours," said a relative of the boy. Doctors at a medical ward said the CMOs often referred them patients in critical condition.

The casualty ward staff should stabilize a patient before sending him to other wards for admission, they said. "About two weeks ago, a patient with very high blood pressure was sent to our ward. Later, he died in the ward," a doctor said.