RAWALPINDI/ISLAMABAD  - One other measles patient was admitted in Holy Family Hospital (HFH) bringing the total number of measles patients in Rawalpindi to 23.
Latest victim is said to be 16-year-old Shabana, resident of Dhoke Kala Khan. She was bought into emergency ward of the Holy Family Hospital late Friday night with high fever. After medical aid it was diagnosed that she had measles.
According to doctors, medical care is being provided to her and she is in stable condition. District Health officer Khalid Randwah told that this is the 23rd case of measles which has come forward in Rawalpindi. He said so far 22 patients have been treated and sent home.
According to World Health Organization (WHO) more than 300 children have died from measles in Pakistan in 2012, a five-fold increase from 2011.
Meanwhile, Absence of doctors at the emergency ward of Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), one of the largest hospital of the capital city, depicts the sorry state of this mega hospital.
Sick patients, elderly and children are made to wait for several hours before a doctor becomes available to see them at the Emergency ward.
Attendants complained that there are only two or 3 doctors working the entire ward due to which sick patients have to wait for a long time before they get any treatment.
It has been learned that most of the doctors are on extended leave due to which there is a shortage of staff at the emergency ward.
The patients complained that some of them are suffering from chest infections, asthma, heart disease, and some are elderly due to which they are unable to stand in long queues but the PIMS administration is least oblivious to their sufferings.
Meanwhile, they demanded of the concern authority to pay great attention towards this grave issue so that the masses could get some relief.