Muhammad Atif Ismail MULTAN, Sep 13 (APP):Around 2,200 patients are currently waiting for open-heart surgery at the Cardiology Institute, with about 10 such surgeries being performed daily,official sources said on Sunday. The patients on the waiting list were broadly placed in different categories according to the urgency of their medical condition. Patients requiring emergency open-heart surgery were given priority,while general patients were scheduled according to their clinical condition and availability …
Over 2,200 patients await open-heart surgery at Cardiology Institute
Muhammad Atif Ismail
MULTAN, Sep 13 (APP):Around 2,200 patients are currently waiting for open-heart surgery at the Cardiology Institute, with about 10 such surgeries being performed daily,official sources said on Sunday.
The patients on the waiting list were broadly placed in different categories according to the urgency of their medical condition.
Patients requiring emergency open-heart surgery were given priority,while general patients were scheduled according to their clinical condition and availability of surgical slots.
Official sources said that open-heart surgeries were being provided free of cost to eligible patients at the government facility.
However,some patients also opt for arrangements involving some amounts,under which they can get an earlier surgery date,subject to applicable procedures and availability.
Sources said the large waiting list had persisted for a considerable period despite the availability of open-heart surgery at some private hospitals in Multan.
According to sources,clearing the existing backlog of around 2,200 patients could take at least six to 10 months at the current capacity,particularly as new patients continue to be referred for surgery.
An official source said the hospital did not follow a simple first-come, first-served approach in all cases.
Patients requiring urgent or emergency surgery were accommodated earlier after assessment of their medical condition.
“The timing of surgery is decided according to the patient’s condition and the urgency of the case,” the source said.
The official sources added that patients with more serious conditions were prioritized, while those in stable condition were given appointments according to the available surgical schedule.
The waiting list indicates the continuing demand for cardiac surgery services in South Punjab,where the Multan facility serves patients from the city as well as surrounding districts,and some parts of KPK and Balochistan provinces.
However,some private-sector hospitals have provided an alternative for some patients,the government cardiac facility remains a major source of free cardiac surgery for people who cannot afford treatment in the private hospitals.
