Sindh Services Hospital to share building with KMC-run facility

Karachi's Sindh Government Services Hospital is set to relocate to a cramped space within the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation-run Sarfaraz Rafiquee Shaheed Hospital. The move, prompted by the government's handover of its former premises to the Dr Ruth Pfau Civil Hospital Karachi, has sparked concerns over the hospital's ability to provide essential healthcare services in such limited quarters.

The Sindh health department issued a directive on August 18, ordering the relocation of the Services Hospital to three rooms and three halls on the second floor of the Sarfaraz Rafiquee Shaheed Hospital. This decision came without warning, leaving the hospital's staff and patients scrambling to adapt to the sudden change.

In a circular issued later that day, the Medical Superintendent of the Services Hospital instructed all staff, including heads of departments, doctors, administrative personnel, pharmacists, nurses, technical and supporting paramedical workers, and other officials, to report to the new location without delay. The circular emphasized that the relocation must proceed without interruption, with all necessary arrangements for the shifting and functioning of the hospital to be completed urgently.

Critics have questioned whether three rooms and three halls can adequately accommodate the hospital's operations, staff, and patient care needs. An official at the Services Hospital Karachi expressed concern that such a compressed space would inevitably put pressure on routine operations and could compromise the efficiency and accessibility of healthcare services.