Punjab Government Hospitals Deprived of Free Medicines and Tests, Patients Struggling

Islamabad:A severe shortage of free medicines and diagnostic tests has hit most government hospitals across Punjab, including major hospitals in Lahore. Patients are facing immense difficulties as many are left helpless, waiting for treatments and surgeries with no immediate relief in sight.

In hospitals such as Mayo Hospital, Services Hospital, Jinnah Hospital, and General Hospital in Lahore, poor patients seeking free medical care are now forced to deal with the unavailability of essential medications. For days, most of the required medicines have been out of stock in government hospitals, leaving patients’ families no choice but to purchase expensive drugs from private pharmacies. Additionally, patients are being compelled to conduct their tests at costly private laboratories.

Patients and their relatives are expressing frustration, stating that the only thing they are receiving for free is the doctor’s consultation. “No medicines are being given, nor are tests being conducted,” said one frustrated family member. Some patients awaiting surgeries claim that they are stranded in hospitals with no assistance or follow-up from hospital staff.

Dr. Faisal Maqsood, the Medical Superintendent (MS) of Mayo Hospital, explained that the shortage of medicines is due to the contractor halting the supply because of pending payments. “We are grateful for whatever medicines are available,” he said.

Punjab’s Health Minister, Salman Rafique, acknowledged the crisis, stating that audits of hospitals are underway. He pointed out that during the audit of Ganga Ram Hospital, a financial discrepancy of 14 crores had been uncovered. Rafique assured that funds would be allocated once the audits are completed.

Despite these assurances, patients and their families are demanding that the government take concrete steps to address the ongoing shortages of medicines and diagnostic services. They emphasized that it is no longer enough for the government to make promises – they want effective measures to ensure that the poor receive the healthcare they need.

This situation highlights the ongoing challenges faced by Punjab’s healthcare system, where a lack of proper funding and administrative delays are severely affecting the delivery of essential medical services to the public.