Islamabad Hospitals Face Ventilator Shortage

Public hospitals in Islamabad are facing a severe shortage of ventilators, with nearly all ICU machines occupied at Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences and Polyclinic Hospital.

Officials said the shortage is becoming a major hurdle in saving lives as both hospitals continue to receive patients from across the country.

PIMS Executive Director Dr Rana Imran Sikander said the hospital has more than 90 ventilators across various ICUs, but almost all remain in use.

He said some patients stay on ventilators for around 20 days, which keeps beds occupied for long periods.

He added that PIMS does not refuse patients and often keeps critically ill people in emergency care even when space is limited. He also said the hospital faces financial pressure and a shortage of trained staff to operate the machines.

Polyclinic spokesperson Dr Abdul Jabbar Bhutto said the hospital has 35 ventilators, but all of them remain occupied most of the time.

He said hospitals need more trained staff as well as more machines, since ventilators cannot function without specialised personnel.

The shortage has also pushed more patients toward public hospitals because private treatment can cost up to Rs300,000 per day for one patient.

Doctors said the waiting list for ventilators rarely ends.

In a recent case, family members said journalist Abid Raza Kazmi died at PIMS after a ventilator was not available. The incident has renewed concern over critical care facilities in the federal capital.