RAWALPINDI: The Special Monitoring Unit (SMU) conducted an unannounced inspection of Holy Family Hospital (HFH) and Rawalpindi Teaching Hospital (RTH) and found administrative lapses, including poor staff attendance, weak internal monitoring and lack of compliance with operational standards.

In a report submitted to the Punjab government, the SMU stated that it conducted a visit to the two main hospitals of Rawalpindi to evaluate healthcare delivery, patient facilitation, infrastructure, hygiene, staff attendance, equipment functionality and compliance with policy guidelines. The visit revealed multiple critical gaps and systemic inefficiencies.

About the RTH, the report revealed serious administrative lapses, patient exploitation, staff absenteeism, medicine shortages, unhygienic conditions and multiple operational violations.

Patient exploitation and unofficial payments were found in the hospital as surgeries were delayed due to non-payment of money in the name of ICU charges besides asking patients to purchase medicine from outside worth more than Rs12,000 to Rs20,000 each.

Special Monitoring Unit carries out unannounced inspections of health facilities

It found tests and procedures conducted outside hospital, medicine shortages and store mismanagement, incorrect data entry in store records; no record of near-to-expiry stock and violations of Drap regulations.

It also reported expired medicine in the hospital. Indoor pharmacy was closed before official hours. Patients were not given prescription slips back; no printed medicine usage instructions.

The report also showed staff absenteeism and early departure, inappropriate staff conduct, emergency OT night staff showing inappropriate behaviour, non-functional and damaged equipment. Endoscopy machine was out of order for two weeks.

It added: “MRI machine unavailable; patients referred to Holy Family Hospital and screening machine non-functional.” Five out of 32 CCTV cameras were also found non-functional.

It states that there was poor cleanliness across hospital premises. Neuro ward and surgical ward washrooms were extremely dirty and foul-smelling.

Standing water was seen near the facilitation counter; and there were no fans or drinking water.

Holy Family Hospital

The report stated that the patients at the HFH continued to be burdened with purchasing medicine from external private pharmacies despite the hospital having essential stock in its pharmacy. This results in unnecessary out-of-pocket expenses, unequal access to treatment and severe patient dissatisfaction.

Hospital hygiene and infection control practices are severely compromised, especially in sterilisation areas and patient wards, posing grave risks of hospital-acquired infections.

Despite revamping, seepage issues, blistering paint, plaster erosion, fungus and mold growth were noted. PVC sheet flooring in chemical and micro labs has deteriorated, separated at joints, lost antifungal/antibacterial properties, risking contamination of lab results.

Staff abandoned duties before time despite long queues. No public announcements, LED display, or information regarding timings and availability of free medicines. Patients forced to sit in corridors due to inadequate seating.

The main pharmacy and store were found to be adequately stocked and well-maintained. Temperature-controlled refrigeration (5°C) maintained. Near-to-expiry medicines list displayed and 172 surgical disposable items found available. Moreover, 81 tablet/syrup items and 60 injectable items stocked, including essential medicines (insulin, anti-rabies, snake venom antidote, acute pain injections).

Hospital canteen observed overcharging patients. Roti priced at Rs20. 500ml water bottle at Rs60 (above market rate).

A senior official of Rawalpindi Medical University said the university had asked the hospital administration to submit answers to the SMU observations as soon as possible and improve the condition of the hospital within a week.

Published in Dawn, August 19th, 2025