Healthcare lapses uncovered at HFH
The hospital has been reopened following a year-long closure and Rs3.6 billion revamp. A detailed report outlining its shortcomings has been submitted to the Chief Minister of Punjab.
The seven-point report identifies significant negligence and mismanagement across the hospital's healthcare and administrative systems. It highlights failures in patient safety, hygiene, facilitation, and staff accountability.
Despite medicines being available in the pharmacy, patients were reportedly compelled to purchase drugs from external medical stores. The report lists the names and contact details of 16 such patients, along with the names of the prescribing doctors.
The monitoring team described the hospital's sanitation system as deplorable, warning of an increased risk of infection. Instances of unsterilised medical equipment were recorded, and floors were found dirty, with wastewater accumulating in areas, further endangering patients.
In the pathology laboratory, fungal growth was observed, and peeling paint and plaster were noted. The report warns that such conditions could compromise test results.
Patient service delivery was described as "extremely poor." In the Outpatient Department (OPD), many toilets were either locked or in unsanitary condition.
Separate counters for male and female patients were non-functional, and services, which are scheduled to operate until 1pm, were found to have ceased at 11:47am. Patients were often forced to sit on corridor floors due to inadequate seating arrangements.
Staff absenteeism was also highlighted as certain employees were recorded as present but were found absent from duty, with no disciplinary action taken. Only the main pharmacy was confirmed to maintain proper stock levels and refrigeration.
Further delays and negligence were reported in the investigation of critically ill patients, with timely care lapses observed. Overcharging was noted at the hospital canteen, where a chapati was sold for Rs20 and a 500 ml bottle of water for Rs60 - rates significantly above market prices.
The report concludes by emphasising the urgent need for corrective action to restore proper patient care and management at HFH. Last week, the Special Monitoring Unit's inspection report had revealed serious mismanagement, financial irregularities, patient exploitation, and a systemic breakdown of governance at Benazir Bhutto Hospital (BBH), Rawalpindi. The findings were submitted to the CM, accompanied by recommendations for urgent reforms.
The report described the state of healthcare delivery and basic facilities at the hospital as "extremely poor". Inspectors found that the majority of doctors and paramedical staff were absent, while ICU patients were left lying on bloodstained beds without the supervision of either doctors or nurses. Despite overwhelming crowds in the Emergency and Outpatient Departments, only two service counters were operational.
It was further revealed that 80% of prescribed medicines were unavailable, compelling patients to purchase them from outside. Government-supplied drugs were missing from the pharmacy, while cartons of expired medicines were discovered on-site. Members of staff were found soliciting bribes from patients, including at token counters where payments were demanded in exchange for services. In one case, a patient was asked to pay Rs90,000 to avoid queues and obtain surgery.
The inspection team also observed doctors and nurses distracted by mobile phones during duty hours, while pharmaceutical companies appeared to wield undue influence. Promotional brochures and calendars of pharmaceutical firms were found displayed in the office of the Medical Superintendent (MS).
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