Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif paid a visit to Lahore General Hospital Sunday. He reached the hospital without any prior intimation and reviewed medical facilities being provided to the patients in different wards. The Chief Minister enquired from the patients and their relatives about treatment facilities being provided in the hospital. Under-treatment patients and their attendants told the Chief Minister that medicines are being given in the hospital but the sanitation arrangements are not satisfactory and the date for the operation is also given with delay.
Some patients and their families requested the Chief Minister for financial assistance, upon which he announced financial assistance for the poor patients and their families on the spot and issued necessary instructions to the administration in this regard.
Shahbaz Sharif inspected various washrooms of the hospital and expressed indignation on bad condition of washrooms and poor cleanliness situation. He also reprimanded hospital administration on unsatisfactory hygienic condition and dirty bed sheets. The Chief Minister said cleanliness is half faith but it is deplorable that sanitation arrangements of washrooms and wards are unsatisfactory and even soap is not available in the washrooms. He said that it is the responsibility of the district administrative officers to visit the hospitals for monitoring the situation and immediate steps be taken for improvement in this regard. Shahbaz Sharif reprimanded hospital administration on seeing the poor condition of the walls and open electricity switch boards in the hospital and expressed resentment over not wearing of gown by AMS and some doctors present on duty.
Despite clear direction, performance of duty by the doctors without gown is regrettable, he added. He said that wearing gown is demand of the discipline as it is difficult for general patients to differ between doctors and other persons therefore, wearing gown by doctors should be implemented strictly. He directed the doctors to perform their duties by wearing gown. The Chief Minister issued on the spot instructions for the treatment and financial assistance of the resource-less patients. He ordered an inquiry in to the substandard construction of washrooms and dilapidated condition of the walls of the hospital. Shahbaz Sharif took strict notice of complaints by some patients regarding delay in treatment especially operation and directed that a report be presented to him after analysis of load of the patients and available human resource. Principal Postgraduate Medical Institute Professor Dr Khalid Mehmood and Medical Superintendent Dr Capt(R) Niaz Ahmad were not present in the hospital during surprise visit of Chief Minister, however, later, they reached the hospital. The Chief Minister reprimanded the Principal and MS on treatment facilities being provided in the hospital and poor sanitation arrangements and directed them to improve the situation. Addressing the MS, Shahbaz Sharif said that if he pays visit to the wards regularly and reviews the condition, then this was not the situation. Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said that hospitals have been constructed for treatment of the poor patients and these poor patients have also right over quality medical facilities.