KANDHKOT - Severe shortage of medicines in public sector hospitals of Sindh despite having heavy budget is forcing patients to visit Karachi for treatment.

It is learnt that patients of diabetes, kidney disease, tuberculosis, hypertension, hepatitis of Kashmore have been facing severe difficulties in their treatment due to unavailability of medicines and most of the patients have to travel to big cities like Rahim Yar Khan, Larkana, Sukkur whereas serious patients are mostly referred to Karachi.

It is also learnt that X-ray and ultrasound machines and most of ambulances and heavy generators are not functional in Civil Hospital Kandhkot.

“Despite heavy budget from health department for purchasing medicines, vaccines and equipments for the entire district, the hospitals administrations are unable to provide medicines to the patients and there is also great shortage of various vaccines such as snake , dog bite and other diseases,” the sources said.

Masses of Kashmore have complained about difficulties in the treatment of their patients and demanded early availability of the medicines.

On the condition of anonymity a medical officer complained that no any doctor performed his duty during night shift while technicians remained present in the night duty and in case of emergency they called duty doctors.

When contacted Deputy Commissioner Kashmore Munawwar Ali Mithyani denied shortage of medicines and vaccines in the public hospitals and said sufficient stock of medicines are available in Kashmore.

It merits a mention that inability of Divisional Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner and DHO to manage working of the hospitals and absence of proper audit of funds and accountability system are responsible for the shortage of the medicines.