Patients from different minority groups are facing discriminatory attitudes at government healthcare centres in availing free medical treatment. Many of them used to fill Zakat forms for free medical treatment at medical centres, as they could not afford expensive treatment.
The hospitals' administrations rejected forms of such candidates who verified that they were non-Muslims. Hundreds of patients from different minority groups visit government hospitals daily and many of them could be found standing outside the Baitul Maal, Zakat Counter and offices of medical superintendent of different hospitals. The patients are facing difficulties even in getting medical facilities on half payment.
"I am suffering from heart disease and came to National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD) for medical treatment. The doctors asked me to fill Zakat form but when I reached Zakat Counter for getting relief, they gave me a form and instructed me to come tomorrow with area councilor's verification letter", said a patient standing at Out-Patient Department of NICVD.
He said: "When I came with the verification letter of area councillor, the hospital administration refused to accept my form by saying Zakat fund is not for non-Muslims." "The administration of the hospital directed me to write an application on white paper for getting funds from Baitul Maal, but all in vain because the officials at Baitul Maal Department asked me to wait for a month, he said.
Another patient, Matthew Akbar, sitting outside the office of Additional Medical Superintendent (AMS) General Civil Hospital Karachi (CHK) narrated his story as: "I am Christian and suffering from a bone disorder but could not get medical treatment because I am a non-Muslim".
He said: "the doctors had asked me three weeks ago to arrange Rs 10,000 for operation and I have already missed three operation dates due to non-payment and now I am sitting here to get permission from AMS (General) for early release of funds from Baitul Maal.
He said: "The doctor has refused my application by saying he has no authority to release Rs 10,000 for treatment and for this I should contact Medical Superintendent who had already denied to meet me owing to his illness." Talking to Business Recorder, Shahzad Raaz Bhatti, President, Minority Wing Saddar Town said in a democratic government the minorities should be treated equally.
He said: "two years ago, we joined Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) minority group and before this we were working with the main party". He said: "we have joined PPP because the party leaders assured us of equal rights. He said after passing one year the party made no effort for providing relief to the poverty-stricken minority people, who had played a vital role in making PPP election drive successful.
He said that PPP leaders had assured us of equal rights before elections and asked us to join PPP, but they have failed to ensure equal rights. He urged the government to look into the matter and take measures for ensuring medical facilities to the minorities.
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