LAHORE: The severe shortage of medicines at Mayo Hospital remains unresolved despite the recent visit of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, which led to the suspension of the hospital’s Medical Superintendent (MS) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO).
Patients continue to suffer due to the unavailability of essential medicines and delayed diagnostic tests, highlighting the ongoing crisis in the province’s largest public healthcare facility.
Frustration among patients and their attendants has been growing as they are forced to purchase medicines from private pharmacies, with many essential drugs still unavailable at the hospital.
Additionally, critical diagnostic services, including X-rays and ultrasounds, remain inaccessible in a timely manner, with appointments scheduled days later. This delay has put patients, especially those in serious condition, at significant risk.
During her visit, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz sharply criticized the hospital administration over its failure to ensure basic medical services. In response to the situation, a high-level meeting was convened at the Punjab Health Department to address the crisis.
The meeting was attended by Punjab Health Minister, the Health Secretary, and the Vice-Chancellor of King Edward Medical University.
Following discussions, the suspension of Chief Executive Officer Dr. Ahmed Nauman was recommended, with further action expected against other hospital officials for negligence.
Despite these measures, the persistent shortage of medicines and delays in essential healthcare services continue to raise concerns about the effectiveness of administrative interventions and the overall state of public healthcare in Punjab.
