CJP takes suo moto notice on Lahore hospitals’ condition

ISLAMABAD: The Chief Justice of Pakistan, Mian Saqib Nisar, on Thursday took a suo moto notice on the condition of government hospitals in Lahore and issued notices to all the medical superintends of 19 government hospitals of Lahore.

All the medical superintendents have been directed to appear in the court in person on Saturday at the Supreme Court Branch Registry, Lahore, along with a detailed report as to availability of emergency machinery/equipment--ventilators, oxygen, incubators, OTs facility, angiography machines, CT scan, MRI and ambulances.

The reports are desired to also explain the position as to availability of life saving drugs and the medicines that are being provided to the patients free of cost and the medicines they have to purchase from outside.

The chief justice has further desired to have details to availability of required qualified doctors and nursing staff. All the medical superintendents of the 19 government hospitals have been called to be present in-person along with referred detailed reports reflecting the positions of respective hospitals.

There has been much hue and cry from the public complaining the non-availability of even life saving drugs and non-functional emergency equipment, the court noted. It is pertinent to mention here that the chief justice, the other day, while hearing KP mining illegal lease case said that the court would be focusing on human issues, particularly those relating to the people’s right to quality education and healthcare. He said that it would be the apex court agenda for 2018. The apex court is already hearing cases regarding provision of clean water in Sindh and Punjab as well as one regarding high fees in Punjab’s medical colleges.