The Real Emergency

ted Children’s Hospital Sukkur for the first time due to an emergency (attached are the tokens and prescription for reference). My younger brother’s lips and hands were swelling, and we sought immediate medical attention.

I recently visited Children’s Hospital Sukkur due to an emergency, as my younger brother's lips and hands were swelling. We arrived at the hospital at 3:50 PM and obtained token number 397 from the receptionist, who then guided us to the weight machine. A medical assistant weighed my brother, and we were instructed to wait in the waiting area, where the current token number being called was 287.

I kept an eye on the clock and observed the flow of patients entering and exiting the consultant’s room. At 4:30 PM, I approached the coordinator to inquire about our turn and was assured that we would be next. However, I noticed that the coordinator permitted another patient to enter the room out of turn, explaining that their token had been reserved earlier via a phone call. In total, around ten patients were given priority in this manner, including some favourites, while those following the rules were largely ignored.

This practice left me frustrated, but I remained composed and expressed my concerns to the staff, urging them not to force us into lawlessness by creating such disorder through unethical practices that ultimately harm the reputation of this prestigious public hospital. Other patients also voiced their support for my stance, and eventually, we were allowed to see the doctor.

The doctor was professional, thorough, and respectful, and he quickly referred my brother to the emergency department. There, we waited only five minutes before another doctor, who humorously engaged my brother, diagnosed an allergy, prescribed medication, and assured us that he would recover within two days.

In conclusion, while the government can provide excellent facilities, it cannot instil fairness. I urge people not to reserve tokens over the phone unless they arrive at the hospital on time, and I request the doorkeepers of consultants to stop permitting patients based on favouritism. Such practices create unnecessary trouble and waste time for those who follow the rules.

MUHAMMAD JAWAD AHMED,

Sukkur.