Health minister says public sector hospitals are a tumour

ISLAMABAD: The Senate Standing Committee on National Health Services was informed on Tuesday about severe mismanagement and poor patient care at a federal polyclinic, with Senator Hidayatullah revealing details of neglect and apathy. Federal heath minister Mustafa Kamal agreed and called public hospitals a ‘tumour’ that need treatment.

The Senator claimed patients face mistreatment while doctors remain unwilling to examine them, with even basic medicines unavailable. “I personally stood in the patients’ queue and endured humiliation,” Hidayatullah told the committee. Kamal acknowledged the failures, comparing the situation to “a tumor that needs treatment,” as officials revealed plans to overhaul Islamabad’s health system through public-private partnerships.

ICU beds, ventilators shortage in KP hospitals leaves patients struggling

The ministry has begun engaging NGOs and is preparing a public-private partnership framework to address systemic issues in the capital’s healthcare facilities.

Punjab to hire contract staff for Sargodha cardiology hospital

Meanwhile the Punjab health department has begun recruiting doctors and paramedical staff on contract for the Nawaz Sharif Institute of Cardiology in Sargodha. The 200-bed hospital’s outpatient department will become operational in July and will be governed by a board with hiring authority.