DERA GHAZI KHAN: The Sardar Fateh Muhammad Khan Buzdar Institute of Cardiology has been facing a shortage of staff and equipment, requiring immediate attention to ensure the effective delivery ofspecialised cardiac healthcare services, Dawn has learnt.
According to official sources, among the keyissuesfacing the hospitalis the urgent need of specialist faculty, senior registrars, and essential clinical staff.
The hospital is also grappling with a significant staffing shortfall, as 322 out of 686 sanctioned posts, approximately 47pc, currently lie vacant.
Sources further indicated that the provision ofstaffresidences andhostels was also a factor for attracting qualified specialists and facilitating recruitment and retention of medical professionals.Hospital sources further shared that on the financial front, a substantial enhancement of allocations under critical non-medicine heads were needed to meet operational requirements and ensure uninterrupted hospital functioning.
The hospital also requires the procurement and installation of essential medical equipment, including an additional cath lab, echocardiography (echo) machine, ultrasound, mobile x-ray, cardiac instrument sets, and a heart-lung machine, to strengthen diagnostic and interventionalcardiacservices.
Additionally, the expansion of OPD and ICU facilities is necessary to accommodate the growing patient influx, improve patient management, and enhance the overall capacity of the hospital.
Officials emphasised that strengthening human resources, ensuring adequate financial allocations, upgradingmedical equipment, and expanding infrastructure are essential to make the hospital fully functional and capable of providing quality tertiary-level cardiac healthcare to the population of south Punjab and adjoining areas of Balochistan, KP and Sindh.
When contacted, Sardar Fateh Muhammad Institute of Cardiology Medical Superintendent Dr Ramzan said that his office had already requested the authorities concerned to fill the sanctioned vacant posts for the smooth running of the facility.
He further maintained that the government should advertise recruitment specifically for the Sardar Fateh Muhammad Institute of Cardiology, and it would not create additional financial burden on the government, as the finance department releases the salary budget against 686 sanctioned posts. He also mentioned the need for important equipment.