LASHKARGAH (Pajhwok): Residents of southern Helmand province complain of inadequate health services, saying two patients have to share a single bed at some hospitals.
Dr. Nisar Ahmad Babak, head of the Bost Hospital, said the facility was supposed to take care of 150 patients. But with the support of Doctors without Borders, the number of beds has been jacked up to 327.
At times, however, the number of visitors dramatically rises and they need up to 500 beds, the doctor explained. In addition, people with seasonal illnesses also throng the hospital.
In such a situation, Babak said, they were faced with a shortage of resources and manpower to provide treatment for all visitors to their satisfaction. At a time the treatment of over 500 patients is difficult.
“Today, we have 405 patients admitted to our hospital. Of them 160 are children,” he said, stressing a long-term solution to the problem. He also urged short-term measures to deal with the crisis.
The doctor suggested two buildings of the Public Health Ministry in the vicinity be granted for the Bost Hospital. Patients could be admitted there as well
He said the ministry had also other buildings where they could work. The Bost Hospital has 900 personnel but only 160 are permanent.
Bibi, a woman whose child is admitted to the children ward, said two or three kids were put on one bed. There was no place for visitors, who were in a difficult situation, she added.
She said unnecessary crowd and noise added to the pain of patents. The woman called for immediate steps to facilitate visitors and patients.
Public Health Director Dr. Maula Dad Tobagar said they wanted to provide two more buildings to Bost Hospital but there were some technical issues.
He said they were aware of the problems faced by patents and their relatives and had asked the ministry to increase the number of beds and staff strength.
But he lashed out at the Doctors Without Borders personnel for not allowing health officials to address problems. He said the oganisation was opposed to a new development plan for the hospital.
At least 73 health facilities, including Bost and Emergency Hospitals, are operational in Helmand -- a highly volatile province in the south.
nh/mud
