KARACHI: The annual report on Dr Ruth Pfau Civil Hospital Karachi (CHK) reveals a worrisome situation, as professors from the Dow University of Medical Sciences (DUHS) frequently remain absent from their duties in the OPD and emergency departments.
This has resulted in numerous disappointed patients who are left with limited interaction with junior staff and are unable to receive the necessary check-ups from professors, thus hindering their access to proper medical care.
What adds to the concern is the fact that these absentee professors continue to receive substantial allowances from the Sindh Health Department for their presence in the OPD and emergency departments.
However, detailed reports indicate that a significant majority of professors from Dow Medical University have ceased working in these crucial areas. Merely a small fraction, comprising approximately 4 to 5 professors, dedicate an hour to attending patients, while all others remain absent from their duties.
The annual report of the Civil Hospital highlights the OPD's vast scope, which includes 45 departments covering Cardiac, Surgery, Burns, Chest Diseases, Dental Diseases, Dermatology, Diabetes, ENT Unit, Ophthalmology, PD, three maternity units, five medical units, neurology, neurosurgery, oncology, and two orthopedic units, visited by over 2,000 patients seeking treatment.
Sources say that while professors are present in certain departments, like Medical Unit 1, Orthopedic, and a few others, they are absent in 41 departments, leaving the responsibility to associate professors and assistant professors.
Furthermore, even when professors are present in the OPD, they fail to attend to patients or conduct necessary check-ups.
In the emergency department, patient care is solely provided by a postgraduate (PG) doctor, while professors, associate professors, assistant professors, and paramedical staff neglect their assigned duties, the report mentions.
The report regrets that despite receiving a monthly allowance from the Sindh Health Department for patient check-ups, estimated to be around Rs35,000 to Rs40,000 each, the professors and staff from Dow Medical University fail to fulfill their responsibilities in the OPD and emergency departments, except within the wards.
Unfortunately, the hospital’s medical superintendent (MS) was unavailable for comment.
The situation at CHK raises serious concerns about the absence of professors and its impact on patient care, requiring an urgent investigation and appropriate measures to address this issue promptly, ensuring that patients receive the care they require and deserve.
