Karachi's Healthcare Crisis: Struggle for Access to Medical Assistance

Healthcare services in Karachi are facing a critical challenge, particularly during evening and night hours. The majority of government healthcare facilities in the city are non-functional during these times, leaving a large number of low-income residents without access to medical assistance. This lack of availability has forced individuals like Shahida and Abdullah to turn to private hospitals for treatment, causing financial strain.

Dr. Akram Sultan points out that only a small percentage of healthcare centers in Karachi operate in the evenings, leading to a heavy reliance on private healthcare providers for minor ailments. The absence of specialist doctors in government facilities during night shifts further restricts access to quality care.

Qazi Saddaruddin highlights the lack of diagnostic facilities and specialist medical professionals in government hospitals throughout the day and night. This situation drives patients towards private clinics, increasing their financial burden.

Local social worker Muhammad Tanveer observes a high prevalence of illnesses among Karachi's population, resulting in overcrowding in private healthcare facilities due to the limited availability of government services. Muhammad Salim, a medical store manager, stresses the importance of government dispensaries and general physicians offering evening services to ease the pressure on major hospitals.

The significant number of patients seeking treatment for minor illnesses at major government hospitals like Civil, Jinnah, and Abbassi Shaheed hospitals highlights the urgent need for improved access to healthcare services during evening and night hours. Despite efforts to address this issue, health authorities, including Acting Director Health Karachi Division, Dr. Saqib Sheikh, have remained unresponsive to inquiries.

The challenges faced by Karachi's healthcare services, particularly the limited availability of government facilities during evening and night hours, have placed a heavy burden on low-income residents. The reliance on private hospitals for medical assistance has exacerbated financial strains for individuals like Shahida and Abdullah. Addressing the lack of specialist doctors, diagnostic facilities, and evening services in government hospitals is crucial to ensuring equitable access to quality healthcare for all residents of Karachi.