Doctors allegedly remain ‘unpunctual’ at SMHS hospital Patients suffer

Hospital sources told this KNS reporter that Doctors here never complete their duty hours. “Despite heavy flow of patients that OPD usually receive in this hospital, most of the doctors arrive and leave at their own will, forcing patients, no matter how much serious cases they have, to wait for hours and even days,”
The insiders said that long queues of patients are a common feature at the Out-door Patient wards in this hospital. “The OPD of the hospitals are supposed to open at 10:30 am but not a single doctor turns up for duty on time, “they said.
One of the hospital employees told KNS that Lack of inspection from the concerned authorities has given leeway to the doctors to show up for duty whenever they deem necessary. “Most of these doctors either run private clinics or work in private hospitals, “he alleged and said the hospital management is least bothered about the serious lack of punctuality among the doctors.
Patients alleged that Non-availability of medicines add to their miseries and accused that that the doctors prescribe only those medicines which are available with the chemists who are associated with these doctors.
“Many doctors have also developed links with the owners of private nursing homes where they practice after hospital duty. “These doctors also put pressure on the visiting patients to get their treatment done at private nursing homes, where they usually practice, “alleged one of the patient at this hospital.
He said that due to the acute medicine shortage, the patients are told to buy them from the market.
Citing Political patronage main reason to this mess sources said that many doctors in the government hospitals and other health institutions have developed links with the political bosses and ministers. (KNS)