KARACHI:
Medics have voiced serious concerns over the “deteriorating conditions” at Abbasi Shaheed Hospital — the largest government-run hospital in District Central — and have demanded the immediate release of salaries to medical staff.
Speaking at a press conference at the PIMA House on Saturday, Pakistan Islamic Medical Association (PIMA) officials also criticised recent statements made by the Karachi mayor, calling them “irresponsible” and accusing him of exacerbating the situation. They further warned that the hospital, which is “on ventilator support,” is being pushed toward privatisation.
The presser was organised to protest the non-payment of salaries to house officers (HOs) and postgraduate trainees (PGs) at Abbasi Shaheed Hospital, as well as to highlight the severe lack of facilities at the hospital.
Dr Zeeshan Hussain, General Secretary of PIMA Karachi, stressed the critical role played by house officers and postgraduate trainees in hospital operations. Staff at Abbasi Shaheed Hospital have not been paid for the past six months, he revealed. “While PGs in Sindh government hospitals are paid Rs104,000, those at Abbasi Shaheed receive only Rs75,000. Similarly, government HOs are paid Rs69,000, while KMC HOs receive just Rs45,000,” Dr Hussain said.
Prof Muttaqi lamented the longstanding neglect of the hospital, adding that conditions have worsened over the past 15 years.
“Since 2007, there have been no significant improvements. Fifty per cent of doctors have retired, the canteen is closed, three out of four lifts are out of order, and only two surgeons remain in place against a sanctioned strength of 18. Medicines are often unavailable for poor patients, and there are increasing efforts to privatise the hospital,” he said.
