Ventilator Crisis: A National Wound That Demands Healing

For over two decades, the unavailability of ventilators in Pakistan's public hospitals has been a silent killer, robbing citizens of their last chance at life. This is not merely a medical shortfall; it is a national wound that cries out for urgent attention, a test of our faith and resolve as a Muslim nation.

The Unforgivable Loss of Abid Raza Kazmi

A recent tragedy at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) in Islamabad lays bare the crisis. Journalist Abid Raza Kazmi died because a ventilator was not available. His relative, Asim Raza Kazmi, recounted the heartbreaking ordeal: 'On the last day, doctors suggested shifting Abid Sahab on ventilator but it was not available/vacant. We used all possible recourses... There were 12 ventilators but not a single was vacant.' Despite efforts to move him to a private hospital, he could not survive.

Abid Kazmi is not alone. Such incidents occur frequently in government hospitals across the country, a grim reality that shames our collective conscience.

Why Are Ventilators Scarce in Our Hospitals?

The root causes are multiple and interlinked. Former Minister for Science and Technology Fawad Chaudhry revealed that after he left office, efforts to manufacture high-end ventilators locally stalled. 'While I was minister during Covid-19, I made efforts to manufacture ventilators in Pakistan and some simple ventilators were manufactured which could cater up to 60pc of patients. However, then I left the ministry and after that no one took interest in that issue,' he said.

Mr. Chaudhry also pointed to a deeper malaise: the quality of Pakistani engineers is not up to the mark to produce such critical equipment. He suggested involving Chinese companies in joint ventures to bridge this gap.

The Crushing Cost of Life Support

Pims Executive Director Prof Dr. Rana Imran Sikander explained that while ventilators cost between Rs3 to Rs5 million, the real burden is operational. 'Expense of each ventilator in Pims is around Rs200,000 per day but the hospital does not charge patients for it. Moreover, there is severe issue of human resources as specialised and trained staff is required to run ventilators,' he said.

The hospital has over 90 ventilators in various ICUs, but they are almost 100% occupied. With 1,400 beds and patients referred from across the country, the demand far outstrips supply. 'We have no refusal policy so we even keep a patient on a stretcher but don't send them to other hospital,' Prof Sikander added.

A System Under Siege

Dr. Abdul Jabbar Bhutto, spokesperson for Polyclinic, echoed these concerns. 'We have limited number of ventilators and all of them remain occupied. We also face severe shortage of human resource so we cannot address the issue even if we get more ventilators as staff will be required to run them,' he said.

He noted a troubling trend: wealthy families who can afford private hospitals often run to public hospitals when their loved ones need a ventilator, because private hospitals charge up to Rs300,000 per day. 'People contact public sector hospitals claiming that they cannot afford treatment at private hospital and request to shift their patient on ventilator in public sector hospital. Due to this, a priority list is prepared but unfortunately that list never ends,' he lamented.

What Is Being Done to Address the Crisis?

On the intervention of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and efforts of Health Minister Mustafa Kamal, a new block is being established at Pims that will include 40 ventilators. However, Prof Sikander urged citizens to change their lifestyles to reduce the burden on hospitals. 'They should go to parks and start physical activities because that is how they would remain healthy,' he advised.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, the Pakistan Association of Private Medical and Dental Institutions offered 1,000 beds, 240 isolation rooms, and 80 ventilators to the government. Some companies also donated equipment. But such generosity is rare in normal times.

A Call to Action for Our Nation

This crisis is not just about machines; it is about our values as an Islamic republic. Every life lost due to a missing ventilator is a failure of our system, a betrayal of the trust placed in us by Allah. We must harness our national talent, partner with brotherly Muslim nations like China, and prioritize this issue with the urgency it deserves.

Let us pray for the souls of those we have lost and work tirelessly to ensure no more Pakistanis die waiting for a breath. Insha'Allah, with faith and action, we can heal this wound.

'And whoever saves one life, it is as if he has saved all of mankind.' — Quran 5:32

FAQ: Understanding the Ventilator Shortage in Pakistan

Why are ventilators so expensive in Pakistan?

High-end ventilators cost between Rs3 to Rs5 million due to import costs, technology requirements, and lack of local manufacturing capacity.

How many ventilators does Pims currently have?

Pims has over 90 ventilators in various ICUs, but they are almost always fully occupied due to high patient inflow from across the country.

What is the government doing to solve this problem?

A new block with 40 additional ventilators is being established at Pims, and former officials have called for joint ventures with Chinese companies to manufacture ventilators locally.