KARACHI Feb 17 (TNS): Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar on Saturday paid a visit to Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center (JPMC) to review healthcare facilities and the state of cleanliness at one of the biggest government-run hospital of the metropolis.
Accompanied by top health officials, the chief justice visited emergency and other wards of the hospital and expressed displeasure over poor sanitation.
He said the emergency ward reeked of unpleasant smell and directed heath officials to pay heed to cleanliness.
He interacted with patients, who complained of lack of facilities at the hospital.
Earlier, headed by CJP Nisar, a bench of the apex court, heard a case pertaining to healthcare facilities in Sindh at the apex court’s Karachi registry.
During the course of the hearing, the chief justice announced to visit the hospital to review the situation there.
Taking great exception, he said reports showed the situation at hospitals was far from satisfactory.
He asked health secretary Dr Fazlullah Pechuho to explain as to when the situation at government-operated hospitals would get better.
Pechuho replied the government was providing funds to the hospitals to improve healthcare and other related facilities.
CJP Nisar asked the health secretary to swear an affidavit that the JPMC and other hospitals were well-equipped and had all healthcare facilities.
The chief justice expressed dissatisfaction over performance of Jinnah Medical and Dental College and issued notice to officials of the college to submit their comments.
It is pertinent to mention here that CJP Nisar was repeatedly criticized by the ruling elite for visiting a medical facility in Punjab.
