I AM writing to express my deep concern about the lack of medical facilities for Sindh government teachers under the panel of the Sindh Goverment Hospital. I have been working as a teacher in the Sindh Education Department for over 15 years, and during that time, I have seen firsthand the challenges that teachers face when they need medical care.
I will use this platform to share my experience. In 2014, my wife was admitted to the Sindh government hospital in the gynecology department. However, due to the need for ICU care, she was discharged from the hospital because my daughter was born and she needed a baby ventilator, which was not available in the hospital.
As a result, my wife and daughter were discharged from the hospital, and I took my daughter to a private hospital where the daily cost was Rs20,000 per day. I had only Rs10,000. I borrowed money from my friends and asked others to raise money. When I ran out of money in 13 days, I asked the doctor to remove the ventilator and subsequently my daughter passed away.
The Sindh government has a panel of hospitals for government employees, but these hospitals are often overcrowded and understaffed. Teachers often have to wait for hours to see a doctor, and they may not be able to get the care they need. In addition, the quality of care at these hospitals is often poor. Teachers have complained about long waits for tests, misdiagnosis, and even neglect.
This lack of medical care is a serious problem for Sindh government teachers. Teachers are essential to the education of our children, and they deserve to be healthy and well-cared for.
My heartbreaking story highlights the challenges that people face in accessing quality healthcare in Pakistan. The lack of medical equipment in government hospitals is a serious problem that can have devastating consequences. In my case, the lack of a baby ventilator led to the death of my daughter.
I urge the Sindh government to take immediate action to improve the medical care for Sindh government teachers. The government should expand the number of hospitals on the panel for government employees having all types of medical equipment, increase the number of doctors and nurses at these hospitals while also improving the quality of care.
Syed Muzaffar Hussain
Teacher, Sindh Education & Literacy Department
Karachi