MULTAN: The newly-built Nishtar Hospital Phase-II in Multan is facing serious challenges due to a shortage of doctors and the lack of a fully functional Anesthesia Department.
According to the private newspaper report, a delegation of the Pakistan Medical Association (PMA), led by its President Prof Dr Masoodul Rauf Haraj, along with faculty members of Nishtar-II, met Vice Chancellor of Nishtar Medical University, Prof Dr Mehnaz Khakwani, to discuss the issues.
The delegation said that many jobs at Nishtar-II have not been filled according to the approved Summary of New Expenditures (SNE), which has caused a shortage of doctors and other staff.
They also raised concerns about the delay in upgrading the Anesthesia Department and demanded inclusion of Nishtar-II faculty in the Nishtar Academic Council.
Prof Dr Waseem Rabbani, Prof Dr Tahir Chaudhry, Dr Ashfaq Malik, Dr Abdul Manan, Dr Rizwan Sharif, Dr Mehboob Qadir, and Dr Waqas also attended the meeting.
The VC was informed that these issues are directly affecting patient care. The delegation stressed that the Anesthesia Department is critical for hospital operations and needs urgent attention.
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They also demanded equal participation of Nishtar-II staff in all university matters. The VC assured the delegation that the Nishtar-II faculty would soon be included in the Academic Council and said she would approach higher authorities to resolve the remaining issues quickly.
Relocation of Key Units Sparks Protests
Earlier, the Punjab government’s decision to shift the Orthopaedic Surgery Unit-II and part of the Neurosurgery Department from Nishtar Hospital to Nishtar-II sparked protests from doctors, patients, and political leaders.
The Health Department had announced on July 25, 2024, that Nishtar-II would be made operational, and directed the transfer of key departments from the main hospital. The Vice Chancellor was assigned to ensure a smooth relocation process.
Although doctors challenged this move in the Lahore High Court Multan Bench and initially obtained a stay order, the government later succeeded in getting the stay lifted. The Nishtar Hospital administration then issued orders for staff to report to Nishtar-II.
However, the move has faced widespread criticism. The PMA, along with young doctors, nurses, and paramedics, held a protest at Nishtar Hospital. They argued that Nishtar-II should have its own staff and resources, instead of shifting existing departments from the main hospital.
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Patients and their attendants also joined the protest, complaining about the 25-kilometre distance to the new hospital, especially for emergency cases.
Political leaders also raised their voices. PPP provincial parliamentary leader Syed Ali Haider Gilani urged the government to review its decision. He warned that transferring key departments without full facilities and staff would create hardships for the public.
Gilani demanded that the original plan of 1,000 beds at Nishtar-II be completed without any cuts. He also called on Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz to visit the hospital and assess the situation.
The controversy has sparked a larger debate on healthcare planning and resource allocation in South Punjab. The public and medical community are now waiting for the government’s response to ensure proper services at both hospitals.
