Administrative lapses hit Larkana’s Chandka hospital complex

Administrative issues and most medical services at Larkana's Chandka Medical College Hospital Complex have been severely impacted since July 17. The complex, which houses Shaikh Zayed Hospital for Women, CMC Children Hospital, CMC Teaching Hospital, and Casualty Department, among others, has no finance director to oversee financial transactions, leaving the hospital unable to conduct payments, purchases, maintenance, and pathological tests.

This is due to the vacancy in the position since Kazim Bhutto's term ended on July 17, and a new finance director has yet to be appointed. Dr Amjad Bijarani, CMCH Medical Superintendent, stated that he does not possess the necessary authority to draw or disburse funds, leaving him helpless.

The critical situation has become so dire that even blood tests are not being performed in the hospital's pathology lab, and routine tests have not been conducted for six weeks. The hospital's five pathology laboratories are all experiencing the same issue. X-ray departments are also facing shortages of X-ray plates, while medico-legal X-rays are being conducted outside the hospital.

The management is relying on local purchases, but if the upcoming finance director does not approve these expenses, the hospital is left without a solution. The CMCH management committee has not been granted the authority to appoint a finance director, with the final decision resting with the Chief Minister. This leaves retirees and pension claimants in a precarious position, as their retirement documents and death claims are pending approval due to the absence of a finance director.