KARACHI, Aug 10: Like many other parts of the city some major hospitals too, which have been already put on alert in the wake of Met office special monsoon advisory, got flooded with knee-deep rainwater on Friday.
The situation affected the handling of patients and mobility of doctors and nursing staff besides creating unhygienic conditions in and around the hospitals. Blocked sewerage lines were largely attributed for the mess.
The worst-hit were the low-lying hospitals like the Jinnah Post-graduate Medical Centre’s casualty and emergency ward which had to be shifted to some higher place owing to torrential rain, said a staff member at the JPMC.
In addition, the private wards and some other facilities within the hospital complex were badly affected. The rainwater draining from Bizzerta line and surrounding areas was accumulated in the hospital.
When JPMC deputy director and casualty ward’s in-charge Dr Seemi Jamali was contacted, she said the handling of patients at the emergency ward had become impossible. Besides, the equipment was also under threat of heavy damage.
With the consent of high-ups the emergency and casualty ward was finally shifted to the OPD section as a makeshift arrangement around 10 o’ clock on Friday morning, Dr Jamali said, adding that the patients were being given better care at the new place.
At one point on Friday morning, the Sobhraj Maternity Hospital was virtually cut off as all roads leading to it were submerged with rainwater.
The staff was worried about the handling of expected mothers if rushed to the hospital, as mobility of people was reduced to nil due to rainwater, said Executive District Officer on Health Dr A.D. Sanjnani.
He said the situation worsened as some sewerage pumps could not work due to power outage.
Stagnant water at the main entrance of Civil Hospital Karachi’s burns ward also affected patients’ mobility.
The water accumulated in the vicinity of burns ward and nursing mess could not be drained out as the surrounding areas were already inundated with rainwater, said a senior official of the hospital, attributing the problem to the digging of road and abandoning the work without filling the ground properly.
The medical superintendent of the hospital, Dr Kaleem Butt, told Dawn that the provincial health minister had also been apprised about the prevailing mobility and hygiene problem in some portions of the hospital. The minister had assured that he would talk to Karachi District Coordination Officer on the subject as well, Dr Butt added.
The medical superintendent said some of the sensitive wards, including surgical intensive care unit, labour-rooms and gynaecology rooms meant for post-operation care, were without the supply of electricity since August 9 night.
Despite various complaints, the KESC officials have not come to our rescue and the power was not restored till Friday evening, he said, adding that the generators at the hospital were not efficient enough to function continuously for more than 26 hours.