AFTER a long wait of nine years, a baby boy was born in my family at a private hospital in Gujrat. Unfortunately, at the time of birth the neonate was suffering f r om pneumothorax, wihe is a life-threatening condition in which air leaks into the space between the lungs and the chest.A tube has to be inserted to release the trapped air. It was shocking that not a single paediatric surgeon was available in either Gujrat or Gujranwala to perform the procedure. The child specialist in Gujrat referred us to Lahore for further treatment, and warned us that we were in a race against time.

With an oxygen-dependent baby in our lap, we travelled for more than three hours to reach a private hospital in Lahore.

After admission, the hospital called a surgeon to do the procedure, but the baby`s condition worsened and he had to be put on a ventilator. We spent 10 days at the hospital, with uncertainty staring us in the face. Luckily, the baby survived.

In those ten days, I heard a number of horrific stories from parents who had brought their children there from far-flung areas ofthe province due tothe absence ofhealthfacilities.

A two-month baby girl from Hafizabad was there. Her parents had been referredto Lahore while the infant was on oxygen support, and they were warned that the patient would not survive beyond two hours in the absence of medical assistance.

The mere end-to-end journey takes more than two hours. It is a miracle that some patients still survive the ordeal. However, not everyone is that lucky.

The government must ensure availability of senior consultants, doctors and necessary equipment at least in all the divisional headquarters across Punjab.

Moreover, an online linkage among private hospitals must be ensured.

An online database can easily guide the families about hospitals with the required facilities and their availability.

Access to proper healthcare and timely treatment can save many previous lives.

NajafAli Gujrat