Sheikh Zayed Hospital in Lahore grapples with a financial crisis as the federal government withholds grants, leaving patients facing challenges such as depleted essential medicine supplies and limited access to crucial medical tests. The absence of necessary resources forces patients to turn to private laboratories for essential tests.
Read More: CHI Commends Crackdown on Illicit Cigarettes
The federal government, citing directives from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) discouraging additional financial support, reportedly communicated the suspension of grants to Sheikh Zayed Hospital. This decision has left the hospital struggling to meet its financial obligations, impacting its ability to provide essential healthcare services.
The hospital’s spokesperson emphasized the urgent need for Rs 5 billion to settle pending salaries and bills. Contractors have suspended supplies due to outstanding payments, exacerbating the hospital’s precarious situation.
This financial crisis echoes a concerning trend in the healthcare sector, reminiscent of a previous incident at Abbasi Shaheed Hospital. Last year, Abbasi Shaheed Hospital, under the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC), faced a severe shortage of medicines, compelling patients to seek prescribed drugs externally and increasing their healthcare expenses.
In addition to the medicine shortage, Sheikh Zayed Hospital has grappled with non-functional CT Scan and X-ray machines for nearly four years. These challenges highlight the critical need for sustained financial support and strategic planning to ensure the uninterrupted provision of essential healthcare services to the public.
