Karachi:
Doctors have expressed serious concerns about the “deterioration conditions” at the Abbasi Shaheed hospital, the hospital administered by the largest government in Central District, and have demanded the immediate release of salaries to the medical staff.
Speaking at a press conference at Casa Pima on Saturday, the officials of the Islamic Medical Association of Pakistan (Pima) also criticized recent statements made by the mayor of Karachi, calling them “irresponsible” and accusing him of exacerbating the situation. In addition, they warned that the hospital, which is “in support of the fan”, is being pushed towards privatization.
The presser was organized to protest the lack of payment of wages to the officers of the House of Representatives (HOS) and the Postgraduate Apprentices (PGS) at the Abbasi Shaheed hospital, as well as to highlight the serious lack of facilities in the hospital.
Dr. Zeeshan Hussain, general secretary of Pima Karachi, emphasized the critical role played by the officers of the House of Representatives and postgraduate apprentices in hospital operations. ABBASI Shaheed hospital staff has not been paid during the last six months, he revealed. “Although the PG in the hospitals of the Government of Sindh are paid RS104,000, those of Abbasi Shaheed only receive RS75,000. Similarly, the government hostesses are paid RS69,000, while Kmc Hos receives only RS45,000,” said Dr. Hussain.
Professor Muttaqi lamented the long carelessness of the hospital, added that the conditions have worsened in the last 15 years.
“Since 2007, there have been no significant improvements. Fifty percent of doctors have retired, the canteen is closed, three out of four elevators are out of service, and only two surgeons remain in place against a sanctioned force of 18. Medications are often not available for poor patients, and there are growing efforts to privatize the hospital,” he said.
