Islamabad Public Hospitals Report High Ventilator Demand
Public hospitals in Islamabad are experiencing significant demand for ventilators, with intensive care units (ICUs) operating at or near full capacity at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) and Polyclinic Hospital.
Hospital officials say the continued influx of critically ill patients from different parts of the country has placed additional pressure on available ICU resources.
PIMS Executive Director Dr. Rana Imran Sikander said the hospital has more than 90 ventilators across its various ICUs, and nearly all of them are currently in use. He explained that some critically ill patients require ventilator support for extended periods, sometimes up to 20 days, limiting the availability of ICU beds for new admissions.
According to Dr. Sikander, PIMS continues to provide emergency care to patients whenever possible, even during periods of high demand. He also noted that the hospital faces challenges related to funding and the availability of trained healthcare professionals needed to operate advanced critical care equipment.
At Polyclinic Hospital, spokesperson Dr. Abdul Jabbar Bhutto said the facility has 35 ventilators, which are also occupied most of the time. He emphasized that expanding critical care services requires not only additional ventilators but also specialized medical staff trained to manage them.
Healthcare officials say the demand for public hospital services has increased as many patients seek affordable treatment options. In comparison, intensive care treatment at some private hospitals can cost up to Rs300,000 per day, making public healthcare facilities the primary choice for many families.
Medical professionals added that ventilator waiting lists remain a challenge during periods of high patient admissions.
The issue has also received public attention following reports that journalist Abid Raza Kazmi passed away at PIMS after his family stated that a ventilator was unavailable. The reported incident has renewed discussion about the need to strengthen critical care infrastructure and expand ICU capacity in the federal capital.
