According to a survey of government hospitals, especially Allama Iqbal Hospital, the patients and public in general are compelled to visit the private hospitals, which are very expensive and beyond the limit of a common man.
As a result of lack of proper attention of government functionaries, the utility of government hospitals has shrunken. The AIH dental unit is out of order since fifteen years as well as the installation of haemo-dialysis machinery yet to install.
Similarly, trauma centre had been constructed within the limit of AIH, and the necessary equipment of trauma centre had already been arrived but local Health Department and district government Sialkot had done nothing for the instalment of equipment's in the trauma centre.
It is an open secret that AIH had only promoted the private sector and doctors have set up their own clinics and hospitals around the AIH. The standard of the AIH has deteriorated in many respects due to a number of reasons, the main being shortage of funds and lack of attention of concerned authorities.
Though the wards have been increased but the facilities and services are at the lowest ebb in the hospital, as the result of which the patients are facing serious hardships because the number of doctors is comparatively smaller.
The most astonishing thing is that surgeons, gynaecologist, neurosurgeon and orthopaedic etc are serving in the hospital but there is only one Operation Theater. It is imperative that more modern operation theatres to be constructed and more anaesthetists be appointed to facilitate the surgeons.
The condition of wards for indoor patients is in miserable condition and no improvement is possible due to lack of funds. The beds and beddings are rotten, cot broken and made worse by uncontrollable visitors. The patients are feeling insecure because their medicines are usually stolen. In addition, the most of the hospital wards are converted into hubs of cats and stray dogs. Similarly, gutters are chocked and draining out dirty water.
A general complaint from the patients and doctors community is that the pure water is not available as brown water comes out of pipes because the pipes have gone rusty. The patients housed in the upper story are deprived of water and they have to come down to get water.
The AIH needs extraordinary attention of concern authorities to enable it to maintain its status and standard as district hospital and prove a good nursing home for sick and a solace for ailing.
The Sialkot district government and health authorities should focus attention on the improvement of the hospital by ensuring missing facilities, while special attention should be accorded on the improvement of hygienic conditions in the hospital.