Heart patients at Mayo Hospital face risk as cardiac stents run out

Cardiac treatment has been severely disrupted at Lahore’s Mayo Hospital, one of South Asia’s oldest and largest public healthcare institutions, after stocks of cardiac stents were exhausted, 24NewsHD TV reported on Tuesday. 

According to hospital insiders, the shortage has forced the suspension of primary angiography procedures at the hospital’s cardiology department, leaving heart patients without access to critical, life-saving treatment.

Patients arriving with cardiac emergencies, including suspected heart attacks, are facing heightened risks due to the unavailability of essential intervention, sources added.

Hospital visitors expressed concern and frustration over the treatment halt, while the administration has yet to provide a clear timeline for the restoration of services.

According to sources, delays in the procurement of new cardiac stents have rendered the cardiology department largely non-functional.

Medical experts warn that the absence of primary angiography,  a key procedure used to diagnose and treat blocked arteries, significantly increases the risk of fatal outcomes for heart attack patients.

Mayo Hospital, which serves thousands of patients daily from across Punjab and beyond, has long been regarded as a major centre for cardiac care in the public sector.

The ongoing shortage has raised serious concerns about patient safety and emergency preparedness at the facility, the experts said. 

Hospital authorities have not yet issued an official statement on when cardiac services will be fully restored.

Reporter: Zahid Chaurdhry