The Rural Healthcare Centre (RHC) consisting of 36 beds in Lagigoth, Malir, Karachi, is administered by the People’s Primary Healthcare Initiative (PPHI) Sindh.
Recently, it faced intense inspection by Judicial Member of the Sindh Human Rights Commission (SHRC), Justice (Retired) Arshad Noor Khan and his team—the inspection aimed to assess healthcare facilities for the community.
Despite catering to a 60,000-strong population, the hospital struggles to meet fundamental healthcare needs. Daily visits of 800 to 1000 patients expose the distressing insufficiency of services, leaving most residents without essential medical care.
Investigations revealed alarming shortages, notably the absence of crucial paramedical staff and reports of doctors choosing alternative service locations. This negligence compromises healthcare, raising concerns about the hospital's commitment to its primary role.
The failure to ensure essential medical personnel's presence and the diversion of doctors have severely hindered continuous and comprehensive healthcare services for Lagigoth residents.
The Medical Superintendent highlighted numerous challenges including severe staff shortages, budget limitations, lack of critical infrastructure like an Intensive Care Unit (ICU), and rising theft incidents around the hospital, jeopardising patients and staff.
This appalling state and service inadequacies at Lagigoth RHC demand immediate attention from responsible authorities. Urgent action is needed to rectify deficiencies, provide necessary medical resources, and ensure community safety.
