Caretaker Chief Minister of Punjab, Mohsin Naqvi, paid a three-hour visit to the General Hospital and Punjab Institute of Neurosciences. Many wards in the General Hospital were without functioning air conditioning units, causing discomfort and exhaustion among patients and doctors due to the heat. Beds were even placed on bricks in some areas of the hospital.
Patients expressed frustration over delays in operations, and in the orthopedic ward, the sons of two elderly women protested the lack of timely surgeries in front of Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi.
Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi took the time to console the protesting individuals and issued immediate instructions to the hospital administration for the required surgeries.
However, complaints persisted about the hospital’s disorderly management, delayed treatments, and operations.
Expressing his dissatisfaction, Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi scolded the General Hospital’s administration, demanding the replacement of the Medical Superintendent (MS) and Assistant Medical Superintendent (AMS) Works due to the poor conditions and patient grievances. He also cautioned the Principal of the General Hospital.
Patients and medical practitioners alike lamented the inadequate care and treatment, with claims of receiving only minimal medication during their visits. Complaints included rounds for unnecessary tests and excessive charges of parking fees.
Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi acknowledged the chaotic state of the entire hospital, particularly the emergency department, and emphasized that while it’s crowded, it could still be effectively managed.
Upon the Chief Minister’s arrival, a cleanup operation began within the hospital wards. He noted that air conditioning units were non-operational in several areas, including the children ward, orthopedic ward, and medical ward. Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi engaged with patients and their families to understand the treatment facilities and proceeded to address the issues.
Expressing his annoyance, Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi questioned the Medical Superintendent’s regular visits to the emergency department, demanding to know why the hospital’s condition hadn’t improved.
He voiced his anger over patients and doctors enduring extreme heat without proper AC, and asked why stored gas for air conditioners wasn’t being utilized. During his inspection, he asked for the AC maintenance contract and criticized the fact that, despite substantial monthly expenses, most AC units were non-functional.
Noticing beds placed on bricks, Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi ordered their immediate replacement.
His thorough inspection covered various hospital sections, including the emergency room, medical stores, ultrasound section, and specialized departments like the Orthopedic Ward and Punjab Institute of Neurosciences.
Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi also directed the functionalization of the neuroangiography control room within two days.
He interacted with nurses and inquired about their concerns, visited patients undergoing treatment, and reviewed facilities in different medical units. He emphasized the necessity for swift patient operations and called for the elimination of operation backlogs. Aiming to enhance treatment facilities, Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi requested a plan from the Health Secretary for the General Hospital’s improvement.
