Overloaded hospitals

As a second-year MBBS student in Karachi, I have witnessed firsthand how thousands of patients visit public hospitals daily, far exceeding their capacity. These institutions are often overwhelmed, leading to long waiting times, insufficient beds and overburdened doctors and paramedics. Emergency wards often lack essential equipment and patients are sometimes forced to lie on the floor or wait for hours without being attended to.

This situation not only compromises the quality of healthcare but also endangers lives. The root causes include lack of funding, poor planning, shortage of staff and limited infrastructure expansion despite a growing population. I urge the provincial health department to allocate more funds, improve hospital management systems and expand healthcare facilities. Launching an online appointment and triage system could also help reduce crowd pressure in emergency units. The health of our citizens is a fundamental right and immediate reforms are essential to ensure dignified and timely medical care for all.

Muhammad Aayan ul Haque

Karachi