Latest news with #HolyFamilyHospital
Express Tribune
24-05-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Pindi prepares uplift plan for FY26
The Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) has prepared a proposed Annual Development Plan (ADP) for the fiscal year 202526. The plan, which awaits final approval from the Punjab government, includes major infrastructure initiatives under the "Urban Development Package" and "City Development Package." The proposed projects consist of three underpasses, one flyover, a multi-storey parking plaza, and several road infrastructure schemes. Each development initiative has been recommended by the respective members of the national and provincial assemblies. The proposed ADP includes feasibility studies for an underpass at Chandni Chowk, another at Rawal Road on Murree Road, and a third at Marrir Chowk. A flyover is also proposed from Siddiqui Chowk to IJP Road. Under the Urban Development Package, the dualisation of Adiala Road from Khasala Khurd to Gorakhpur is estimated to cost Rs2.539 billion. Expansion and improvement of the 8.5-kilometre stretch from Girja Road (Thalian Interchange) to Akbar Chowk will cost Rs603.32 million. Development on Adiala Road, including the Chakri Link from School Road to Biscuit Factory Chowk and Talsa Road, is projected at Rs1,297.660 million. Meanwhile, the upgrade of High Court Road from Bostan Khan Road to Car Chowk, Bilal Shaheed Chowk, and Scheme-3 Road will require Rs423.241 million. Under the City Development Package, a multi-storey parking plaza will be constructed at Liaquat Bagh on the WASA Buzzer Site at a cost of Rs2,532.500 million. An underpass at Stadium Road, linking Nanth Avenue to IJP Road, is projected to cost Rs770.320 million. Restoration and improvement of the western alternative route from Chandni Chowk to Holy Family Hospital via IJP Road will require Rs335.04 million. Upgrades on Murree Road from Hotel Flashman to Faizabad are budgeted at Rs953.250 million. Improvement works on Dhoke Khabba, Hameed Khan Road, Rawal Road, Millat Colony, and Sher Power Colony Link Road are estimated to cost Rs998 million. Construction on Pirwadhai Road from Chungi No 4 to Adda Pirwadhai will require Rs247.266 million. Rehabilitation of Khayaban-e-Sir Syed Road from Chungi No 4 to IJP Road is projected at Rs256.689 million. Service road development from Old Airport to Flying Club Road through Gulzar-e-Quaid will cost Rs224.227 million. Roadwork from Rawal Road and Murree Road to Old Airport Road is expected to cost Rs584.952 million. Internal road development in Ghazni Colony, Dosera Ground, and Syedpur Scheme is budgeted at Rs247.266 million. Additionally, a pedestrian bridge will be constructed in front of Benazir Bhutto General Hospital on Murree Road, with an estimated cost of Rs66.434 million.
Express Tribune
19-05-2025
- Climate
- Express Tribune
Pindi braves scalding heat
PMD warns Karachi may hit 42–44°C, but with humidity, it could feel like a scorching 48–50°C in the sweltering heat. PHOTO: EXPRESS The intensity of heat in Rawalpindi continues to rise, with temperatures reaching a scorching 48 degrees Celsius. The Meteorological Department has declared the ongoing heatwave as dangerous, urging citizens to avoid outdoor activities, especially after noon. In response, heatwave response desks have been established in major hospitals across the city. The relentless heat is taking a toll on daily life. Children are struggling to attend school, while employees in both the government and private sectors are finding it increasingly difficult to reach their workplaces. Business activity has also slowed down, as shoppers avoid markets during peak heat hours. Hospitals in Rawalpindi are witnessing a surge in heatstroke patients. In anticipation of further cases, special heatwave desks have been set up at three major hospitals: Holy Family Hospital (HFH), Benazir Bhutto General Hospital (BBGH) and Rawalpindi Teaching Hospital (RTH). These facilities are equipped with chillers and cold-water coolers to ensure a comfortable waiting environment and provide relief to patients and visitors. To raise public awareness, Holy Family Hospital organised a heatwave awareness walk, during which health professionals distributed informative pamphlets, advising citizens to stay hydrated, wear head coverings and avoid unnecessary exposure to the sun, particularly during peak afternoon hours. The Met Department reported that the heatwave can be dangerous for people who venture out in the afternoon without taking precautions. Citizens are advised to stay indoors after noon, as the temperature is expected to remain high or even rise further due to the lack of rain.
Express Tribune
26-04-2025
- Health
- Express Tribune
Patients suffer as medics' strike drags on
The ongoing protest cum strike of young doctors, nurses and paramedical staff against the privatisation of all major government hospitals and medium and small health facilities entered into seventh consecutive day on Friday, paralysing the healthcare system at the cost of patients across the Rawalpindi district. Due to an 'extreme financial crisis', all major government hospitals, Basic Health Units (BHUs), and Rural Health Centres (RHCs) face imminent privatisation. With Outpatient Departments (OPDs) and ward services completely shut down, the healthcare system across the district has become entirely paralysed. Three of Rawalpindi's oldest and largest public hospitalsHoly Family Hospital, Benazir Bhutto General Hospital, and District Headquarters Hospitalhave reportedly been listed for potential sale. With OPDs and ward services suspended, many citizens have begun transferring their patients from public to private hospitals. The number of patients in government hospital wards has drastically declined, and OPDs are nearly empty. Senior doctors, including professors and department heads, have tacitly expressed full support for the Young Doctors Association (YDA)-led strike and are silently facilitating it. Even doctors, professors, nurses, and paramedics aligned with the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) have rejected the Punjab Chief Minister's policy to privatise public hospitals, labelling it anti-patient. The Punjab government, health department, and district administration have completely failed to bring the strike to an end. Doctors, nurses, and paramedics have declared that they will not call off the strike until the government officially cancels the privatisation of hospitals, BHUs, and RHCs. Emergency services remain open, and healthcare professionals are fulfilling their duties there. On Friday, a complete strike continued at all major hospitals in Rawalpindi, including the Tehsil Headquarters Hospitals (THQs) across the district. The YDA also led protests and a boycott at allied hospitals under the provincial government in Rawalpindi. Doctors, nurses, and paramedics participated in the demonstrations, criticising the government's health policy. Protesters held placards and banners with slogans opposing the privatisation of public hospitals and primary health centres. In protest, doctors boycotted OPDs and ward services and took to the streets. This caused significant difficulty for patients at state hospitals. Attempts by hospital administrations to convince the YDA to end the boycott proved unsuccessful. Dr Arif Aziz, the president of the YDA at Benazir Bhutto Hospital, said that emergency and indoor services at the three hospitals are still operational, but the government must reverse its decision on hospital privatisation. He warned that if demands are not met, the boycott could expand to other departments. A citizen, Haji Nasir Fayyaz, who was seen taking his hospitalised son home from Benazir Bhutto Hospital, said, "My son was admitted for days, but no doctor or nurse came to check on him. I'm left with no choice but to discharge him and take him to a private hospital."
Express Tribune
24-04-2025
- Health
- Express Tribune
Govt releases Rs22b to settle hospitals' dues
After nearly two decades of unpaid dues, the Punjab government has released Rs22 billion in the first phase to settle long-pending payments owed to medical supply contractors across public hospitals in the province, including four major hospitals in Rawalpindi. According to a notification issued by the Punjab Finance Department, a total of Rs491.783 million has been allocated to four hospitals in Rawalpindi as part of this payment. These hospitals had failed to clear contractors' dues for 19 years, resulting in disruptions in the supply of essential medicines. Contractors had stopped providing medicines to public hospitals due to non-payment, leading to shortages that severely impacted patient care. The situation escalated in Lahore, where patients at government hospitals were reportedly deprived of basic medicines. Following public outcry, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz took notice and was informed that outstanding dues worth billions had not been cleared since 2005. In response, the chief minister directed the Punjab Finance Department to release the funds in phases. As part of the first tranche, Holy Family Hospital has received Rs62.993 million, Rawalpindi Teaching Hospital Rs91.43 million, Benazir Bhutto General Hospital Rs43.983 million, and Rawalpindi Institute of Cardiology Rs293.377 million.
Express Tribune
07-04-2025
- Health
- Express Tribune
Dues dispute hits Holy Family Hospital
A dispute has erupted between the contractors supplying medicines and related materials and the administration of the city's largest Holy Family Hospital over the non-payment of millions of rupees. Contractors have rejected the hospital administration's acknowledgment of dues amounting to Rs230 million, insisting that the outstanding amount is Rs400 million. The hospital administration has maintained that payments will be made by June 30. According to the contractors, they have not received payments for goods supplied, and they are also being asked for donations. They claim they have a right to the payment for the supplied goods, which has yet to be paid. On the other hand, Dr Ijaz Butt, the Medical Superintendent of Holy Family Hospital, stated that with three months remaining until the end of the current financial year, the hospital will clear Rs230 million in dues based on the Drug Testing Laboratory (DTL) clearance of the supplied medicines. The outstanding dues will be processed by the end of the financial year. Dr Butt added that if payments are not made by June 30, the remaining dues will be considered as liabilities. He further clarified that donations are voluntary, and no one is being forced to donate.
