Difficulties encountered by patients in hospitals

‘Hospital’ in simplest words can be defined as “the organization with a purpose of providing medical attention to the patients with particular staff and equipage”. But in developing as well as developed countries, health facilities which are provided to the patients are not satisfactory. Pakistan is a developing country but the problem related to healthcare, which needs to be resolved first, is hardly considered. The number of people who have no approach to the hospitals is inflated. It is particularly common in the rural areas. However, in urban cities, the condition is satisfactory but then again, the facilities provided by government hospitals do not meet the requirements of the patients.

Lower and lower middle class suffers most because of it. Private hospitals that do provide advanced healthcare facilities are only afforded by urban population. Difficulties encountered by the patients are increasing day by day and a lot of acknowledgement and consideration of the people running these health institutions especially that of government, is required. The basic problems which are faced by the people who depend upon government hospitals include:

 Insufficient staff

 Unusual crowd of patients

 Inadequate finance for provision of medicines and other health facilities

In urban cities, the problem that has emerged recently is unusually high number of patients in a hospital. It is because a great number of people have migrated from rural areas in recent years.

One of the most important issues that need attention is cleanliness in hospitals. Viral infections spread quickly and some of them are highly contagious. It is very common in poorly-run hospitals that sterility of equipments is not recognized. Due to the use of same equipment, such as syringes, and other instruments in many people, viral infections spread very fast. This causes disease, which might be deadly, even to the unsuspected people. Moreover, inadequate guidance from the senior doctors and facilities like that of radiology and pathology is an obstruction in the way of complete medical examination of the patients.

Another important problem is inadequate staff. Staff also includes technicians, nurses as well as sweepers. Not only doctors but these people also are reported to be off-duty. The reason behind absence of doctors and paramedical staff is insufficient pay from the government. Healthcare personnel who are thought to be providing health education to the patients is also not up to the requirement. According to a study, 80 percent of respondents are not satisfied with the advantages provided. By increasing the facilities, their working efficiency can be enhanced.

The problems with the patients include their poverty and illiteracy. According to an analysis, the number of patients facing problems in hospitals due to lack of education is extremely high. Moreover, the anxiety of being poor also makes them think that they are not treated well. Most patients are also not willing to follow the instructions given by the doctor. Motivation is needed to ameliorate the health facilities provided to the poor people. In many countries, extra remittances for privation posts have been suggested.

The government and fortunate individuals can contribute their efforts to improve the condition of hospitals and medical care services in the rural areas of Pakistan. Although, there are government hospitals that are providing low-priced services but it is not contributing positively for the relief of poor.

In order to relief poor, the government needs to improve their overall system and channels of providing good health care services. Adequate doctors should be appointed in hospitals because there is a huge population residing in rural areas of Pakistan. Hospitals should be equipped with latest technology and machinery so that patients do not have to come to urban cities for treatment. Individuals can also contribute their money and efforts towards this cause. To bring a change in this scenario both individuals and government need to put in their combined efforts.