Quetta’s top trauma centre presents dismal picture due to doctors’ absence

QUETTA: When Chief Secretary Balochistan Shoaib Mir on Tuesday paid a surprise visit to the city’s largest government trauma centre, he was himself surprised to see that out of around 50 doctors and paramedics, only one female doctor was present on duty.

The trauma centre, which was formed three years ago, from millions of rupees, became functional only last year.

The chief secretary expressed his anger over the lack of staff at the centre, which dispenses services for emergency situations as well.

He also directed that strict action should be taken against doctors and medical staff over dereliction of duty.

After hearing about the chief secretary’s visit, doctors showed up at the centre although some senior doctors including a neurosurgeon failed to appear.

The Chief Secretary also took the attendance register along with him at the end of his surprise visit.

The inside sources informed that the absence of doctors and staffers is part of the routine in the hospitals of the city.

Interestingly, the tribunal made to investigate the tragedy on August 8, learned that the attendance machine in Civil Hospital Quetta is ineffective. Following the tribunal’s notice, the machine was made functional again to keep the record of staff's attendance.