KARACHI: The administration of Civil Hospital Karachi (CHK) has decided to remove political parties’ slogans, banners, pamphlets and flags from the premises of hospital. An official at the hospital told PPI that that hospital management had started removal of political parties’ slogans, banners, pamphlets and other such materials from hospital to provide politics-free atmosphere to visiting patients. He said political slogans, banners and flags of different political parties could be seen at entrance gates, emergency ward, departments and walls of the hospital, which created an ugly atmosphere for visitors. He said prime responsibility of any public hospital was to provide better facilities of treatment to patients, who should feel comfortable when they visit it, but unfortunately, the major hospital of Sindh seemed more like office of political parties instated of health facility. He said: “Graffiti on hospital walls creates an ugly atmosphere for staff and visiting patients, thus the administration has decided to remove political slogans, banners, pamphlets and flags of political parties from the premises of the hospital on urgent basis.” On the other hand, the doctors, especially female staff of the hospitals, say that political involvement in hospitals creates a strange environment, disturbing the professional environment for them. Medical Superintendent, Civil Hospital Karachi, Dr Tahir Aziz Shaikh, was not available for comments. Published in Daily Times, June 26th, 2017.