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Jinnah Hospital Faces Crisis: Over 1,300 Vacant Posts, Patient Care Severely Affected
Sindh’s Jinnah Hospital struggles with 1,300+ vacant posts, poor facilities & long patient wait times. Harassment cases and costly private services add to patients' woes. Urgent reforms needed.
ND
by News Desk
2025-06-03
Jinnah Hospital Faces Crisis: Over 1,300 Vacant Posts, Patient Care Severely Affected

Jinnah Hospital, Sindh’s second-largest healthcare facility, is grappling with a critical administrative and medical staffing crisis, leaving thousands of patients in distress. According to a recent review, out of 2,915 sanctioned posts, 1,307 vacancies remain unfilled across various grades and departments, ranging from administrative positions to specialized medical professionals.

This shortage has severely impacted patient care in one of Karachi’s busiest hospitals, where over 6,500 patients visit outpatient departments daily. Patients face long waits, lack of essential facilities such as waiting rooms and laboratories, and are often forced to purchase medicines from expensive private stores inside the hospital premises. Notably, the hospital’s pharmacy frequently cannot provide prescribed medicines.

Vacancies exist in key departments including surgery, emergency medicine, orthopedics, neurology, gynecology, and several others. Critical posts like Joint Executive Director, Professors in Medicine and Surgery, as well as Chief of Nursing and Principal of the Nursing College remain vacant. This shortage extends to associate professors and technicians, exacerbating the strain on existing staff.

The hospital’s laboratory services, operated under a public-private partnership with the Patient Aid Foundation, charge patients fees comparable to private labs, often causing delays and additional financial burdens for patients seeking tests like MRI and CT scans.

Reports also highlight serious issues of harassment within the hospital. Lady Dr. Mehreen Urooj from the Urology Department has filed a police case against her department head, alleging repeated harassment of female doctors.

The situation forces patients to endure months-long waits for even minor operations, including head surgeries. Despite the hospital’s high patient load—treating 2.4 million outpatients and handling up to 5.5 million emergency visits annually—services remain strained and understaffed.

With 5,000 annual deaths, 40,000 deliveries, and over 33,000 surgeries conducted yearly, the hospital’s shortcomings are deeply affecting Karachi’s healthcare system. Immediate action is crucial to fill vacancies, improve facilities, and ensure safety and dignity for both patients and medical staff.

 
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