A growing Ventilator Shortage in Islamabad’s public hospitals is creating serious challenges for doctors and patients. Health officials say nearly all intensive care unit (ICU) ventilators at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) and Polyclinic Hospital remain occupied most of the time.
The situation has increased pressure on both hospitals, which continue to receive critically ill patients from across Pakistan. Doctors say the limited availability of ventilators is affecting the ability to provide timely treatment to patients in need of emergency care.
PIMS Executive Director Dr. Rana Imran Sikander said the hospital has more than 90 ventilators across different ICUs. However, almost every machine is currently in use. He explained that many critically ill patients remain on ventilators for around 20 days, leaving fewer machines available for new admissions.
According to Dr. Sikander, PIMS does not turn away patients who require urgent medical care. Even when ICU space is full, the hospital continues to keep critically ill patients in emergency departments whenever possible. He added that the hospital is also dealing with financial challenges and a shortage of trained healthcare professionals.
Officials said operating ventilators requires skilled medical staff. Simply increasing the number of machines will not solve the problem unless hospitals also have enough trained doctors, nurses, and technicians.
The Ventilator Shortage is also affecting Polyclinic Hospital. Hospital spokesperson Dr. Abdul Jabbar Bhutto said the facility has 35 ventilators, but they are almost always occupied. He stressed that both additional equipment and specialized staff are needed to improve critical care services.
Doctors say the demand for ICU beds and ventilators continues to rise. As a result, waiting lists for ventilator support rarely become shorter. This has made it difficult for hospitals to respond quickly during medical emergencies.
Health experts also point to the high cost of private healthcare as another reason behind the growing demand at government hospitals. Treatment in a private hospital can cost up to Rs300,000 per day for a patient requiring ventilator support. Many families cannot afford these expenses and instead seek treatment at public hospitals.
The issue has recently received greater public attention following the death of journalist Abid Raza Kazmi. His family claimed that a ventilator was not available when he was admitted to PIMS. The incident has renewed debate about the availability of critical care facilities in the federal capital.
Hospital officials have emphasized that they continue to treat patients despite limited resources. However, they believe more investment is needed to strengthen emergency healthcare services. Increasing ICU capacity, purchasing additional ventilators, and training more healthcare workers are considered essential steps.
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The ongoing Ventilator Shortage highlights the growing pressure on Islamabad’s public healthcare system. Medical professionals say improving critical care infrastructure and expanding trained staff will be necessary to meet the increasing demand and ensure timely treatment for seriously ill patients.
