Emergency ward reopens three days after lawyers attack PIC

The hapless heart patients were left to suffer sans treatment.

LAHORE (Dunya News) – The emergency ward of Punjab Institute of Cardiology (PIC) has been reopened on Friday three days after fully-suited lawyers stormed a cardiac hospital in Lahore which left at least three people dead.

The emergency ward has been reopened after the destroyed machinery, furniture and other items are replaced. Only a few patients in the cardiac care unit (CCU) are still being treated. The CCU is a hospital ward specialized in the care of patients with severe cardiac conditions that require continuous monitoring and treatment.

The hospital was closed after it was attacked by lawyers on Wednesday. The protesters beat up doctors, destroyed parts of the hospital and interfered with the care of patients. As a result, three patients died.

The medical services at all departments of the cardiac hospital in the provincial capital remained suspended for the third consecutive days and the hapless heart patients were left to suffer sans treatment.

Around 12000 heart patients have suffered as the 35 patients couldn’t undergo bypass, while the Angioplasty and Angiography of 250 patients have also been postponed as the doctors and paramedics stayed away from their duties and demanded protection to them at their workplaces.

The heart patients also couldn’t undergo diagnostic tests owing to closure of medical services at all departments.

On the other hand, the work to restore the building and machines is continuing, while the medicine counter at the OPD has been restored and the provision of medicines to already admitted patients has also been started in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

All the medical tests and operations were postponed while work at emergency ward and Out-Patient Department (OPD) was also stopped. The critical patients at the PIC were shifted to other hospitals.

Punjab govt to compensate

Punjab government has decided to compensate the damage that was caused to vehicles during the Punjab Institute of Cardiology (PIC) attack by lawyers.

According to details, Rs50,000 will be given to 800cc cars that were damaged, Rs75,000 to 1000cc cars, Rs150,000 to 1300cc cars and Rs200,000 to 1600cc cars. 22 cars have been included in the official list so far.

The hospital administration has directed the owners to submit their identity cards and pictures of cars. On the other hand, doctors and other staff have hailed the government’s step.

Dr Yasmin reiterated her support to doctors  community

Punjab Health Minister Dr Yasmin Rashid on Thursday visited the PIC, to analyze all aspects of attack at the institution.

The Health Minister assured that government is siding with the doctors that became victim of torture; the government would extend financial assistance after estimating the damage caused to government properties and doctors  vehicles.

She reiterated her support to the doctors  community and slammed the vandalism at the PIC. “The lawyers have challenged the writ of the government by stopping the treatment of patients. All the criminals involved in attack on the PIC will be brought to justice," she said, adding: “I and other ministers were made victim of torture and we are standing with the doctors  community; the doctors and patients will be provided complete protection in the government hospitals." Additional Secretary Dr Asif Tufail, MS PIC Dr Muhammad Ameer, Chief Cardiologist Dr Saqib Shafi and faculty members attended the meeting.