APROPOS F.B. Butt`s letter (April 18). The writer has pointed out a major health hazard in Pakistan. Most prescriptions are written carelessly and in haste by the doctors because they want to see maximum patients in a given time. Obviously, these prescriptions are illegible and can cause a major damage to the patient if two similar sounding medicines are mixed up.

The writer has given a good suggestion that all prescriptions should be generated through computer. If the doctor does not want to use a laptop himself, he should ask his assistant to do so to avoid any confusion.

I would suggest that a time should be fixed for each patient for a thorough examination so that they are not disposed of in a hurry. The Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences in Islamabad has recently allowed doctors to have private practice at the hospital premises.

At least half an hour should be allocated to each private patient, while a 15-minute time should be fixed for OPD patients.

Health facilities for patients who cannot afford heavy fees are pathetic. Even facilities at private hospitals are not up to mark. No wonder why our leaders go abroad for medical check-ups and treatment.

Zaheer Ahmed Islamabad