| With phenomenal growth of population
the Transportation Network of Hyderabad has extended and
become dense especially in urban portion of Hyderabad
District. The burden of traffic on roadways is increasing
day by day and causing more risk to the dwellers health.
Road accidents have doubled during last five years besides
the increase in several chronic physical and mental disorders
due to air and noise pollution.
Population density in 60% areas of the city
is very high especially in old city area and katchi abadies
(squatter settlements). Whereas land use functional distribution
is unplanned and concentrated in old city area especially
retail and wholesale commercial functions. Socio-economically
deprived and lower working class is the dominant population
segment of these areas where living conditions are the
significant cause of deteriorating public health due to
unmanaged and unhygienic environmental conditions. The
seasonal as well as diurnal weather change with awful
environmental and living conditions enhances the deteriorated
health. In weather transitional period epidemic patterns
of acute epidemic of influenza, cough, sore throat, asthma
attacks prevail throughout Hyderabad.
The public sector inherits meager financial
resources for Hyderabad District as it is similar to the
situation prevails all over Pakistan. Consequently a chain
of problems is in front of Local Health Managers, Scientists,
Professionals and ultimately the nation. Main health issues
of Hyderabad are:
- Increasing Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR)
- Increasing
Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) Extremely High
- Low
nutritional status of Women and Children
- Growing
Cardiac Problems
- Expanding
Cardiac Associated Problems
- High
raise of road accidents
- High
Incidence of Malaria, Diarrhea and Cholera
- Rapidly
increasing incidence Rate of chronic disorders such
as diabetes, asthma, hypertension etc.
- Increasing
rate of Hep. B & C, Cancers and Dengue etc.
- Unhealthy
life style and unhygienic living conditions
In public sector Hyderabad comprises 85 health
units under District Government control in which major
District Government Hospitals (DGH) are DGH Shah Bhitai,
DGH Paretabad, DGH Qasimabad, DGH CDF, DGH Phulleli and
DGH Kohsar. Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences
Hospital (Civil Hospital – Hyderabad) and its affiliated
institutes such as Sir Cowasjee Jahangir Institute of
Psychiatry work under Provincial Government’s command.
Private sector is also actively participating to provide
quality health services such as Memon Charitable Hospital,
Bone Care Hospital, Al – Quresh Hospital, Bin Tayyab Hospital,
Muslim Marwar Hospital, ABM Hospital, Aga Khan Hospital,
Isra University Hospital, Mehmood Hospital, Asim Clinic,
Rajputana Hospital, Ghani Hospital, City Care Hospital,
Hilal-e-Ahmer Hospital, Mohammadi Hospital, Maaji Hospital,
Jinnah Hospital, St. Elizabeth (American) Hospital, Orthopedic
& General Hospital, Surgicare Hospital, Hajiani Day
& Night Hospital, Balair Hospital, Naseem Medical
Centre and hundreds of small clinics etc.
Existing infrastructure is still insufficient
and affordability of high quality service through private
sector is a big issue especially for lower middle and
working class of the district. The patients are not getting
proper attention by the medical staff, medicines and diagnostic
equipments are scarce and so many other facilities are
also missing.
To ensure standard health facilities for the
poor masses, around 21 schemes of PKR. 339.4 million have
been launched by the present District Government as an
immediate action plan. These include:
- Construction of 06 new hospitals, including a modern Trauma
Center with helipad on the rooftop
- Diabetic Centers in 65 Health Units
- Free Dialysis Center
- Uplift of mother and child care centers
- Provision of required medicines and chemical equipments
- Uplifting of Pathological Labs
- Establishment of Cardiac and Pediatric Wards
- Anti viral and bacterial campaigns
- Free treatment of Hepatitis Patients
Another important development in the health-related
services is the establishment of the first ever food testing
laboratory by any district government. Now timely examination
of substandard food is done in Hyderabad and action against
the defaulters is not delayed, whereas previously food
samples had to be sent to Karachi for testing.
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