LAHORE: A recent patient feedback report obtained by the Chief Minister’s Special Monitoring Unit (SMU) has highlighted significant shortcomings in Punjab’s public teaching hospitals, revealing gaps in treatment standards and service delivery.
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Out of 1,976 patients surveyed, 719 (36 percent) reported not receiving free medicines, while 622 (31 percent) complained that duty doctors did not provide proper treatment. Mayo Hospital Lahore topped the list for complaints, with 54 patients citing uncooperative behavior by doctors and 94 reporting lack of free medicines. Other hospitals with high numbers of grievances included Nishtar Hospital Multan, Children’s Hospital Lahore, Shaikh Zayed Hospital Rahim Yar Khan, Jinnah Hospital Lahore, Bahawalpur Victoria Hospital, and the Punjab Institute of Cardiology.
The SMU’s report, titled Patient Feedback Report on Tertiary Care Hospitals of Punjab, was submitted to Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, the Punjab health minister, and the health secretary, urging corrective action against negligent staff. The report also highlighted complaints about rude behavior from allied staff and security guards, long waiting times, denial of admissions, bed shortages, bribes, and non-functional equipment.
In addition, 75 patients reported being charged for lab tests, while 155 cited delays in surgeries and diagnostic procedures. The survey also exposed administrative gaps, including 3,576 incorrect mobile numbers in hospital admission records, which hindered follow-up efforts.
SMU officials said the feedback was collected via outbound calls to ensure citizens’ voices were heard and services improved. The report called for hospitals to take immediate remedial measures and submit detailed action plans to the SMU.
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The findings underscore ongoing challenges in delivering quality healthcare in public teaching hospitals across Punjab, highlighting the need for stricter oversight and better patient-centric policies.