By: F.A DAR

As I stepped into Ward 7, proudly labeled as the “Pediatric Surgical and Surgical Oncology” ward, I was expecting a state-of-the-art facility dedicated to the care of children. But what I saw was a stark contrast to the promise made on the board hanging in the gallery.

Instead of finding a ward filled with children, I was met with a scene that would haunt me for days to come. Elderly patients admitted for rheumatology issues but entangled with other chronic illnesses and contagious diseases, like COPD, Pertussis etc lay in beds that were a mere one foot away from the children’s beds. The only separation between them was a small wall of three feet.

The sound of productive coughing echoed through the night, a constant reminder of the contagious diseases that lurked in every corner. One patient was on oxygen, while another was nebulized three times that night. An elderly lady, who had been admitted for the past 15 days (suffering from osteoarthritis), was feed through Ryles Tube, cried out in pain throughout the night. I was helpless, unable to tolerate their suffering. May Allah ease their pain, but my concern lies with the innocent children who are exposed to these........

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