THE painful experience I had during my three years of dental treatment in a government hospital shows the awful state of public healthcare in Karachi. My teeth were misaligned and the doctor advised me to get braces. My case was a bit complex as I had swallowing and breathing problems, and the treatment plan was finalised after careful study. However, the doctor who prepared the plan left within a few months of the treatment, and another doctor took over my case.

The second doctor treated me for almost three years. But the process was too slow and unorganised. I attended my appoint-ments regularly, but the doctor was often unavailable due to workshops or exams. My treatment file was lost twice. In the final months, another doctor took over, and removed my braces without proper feedback or discussion.

Now, after completing my treatment, I am facing biting problems and other issues. The situation clearly shows lack of responsibility, poor patient care, and mismanagement in the system. Frequent changes of doctor, loss of important patient records, and lack of proper communication are serious problems that need urgent attention. Getting medical treatment from a public healthcare facility is the right of every citizen. The authorities concerned must improve the healthcare system so that patients are treated fairly and responsibly.

Asma Yaseen Abbasi
Karachi

Published in Dawn, May 4th, 2026