Families at Sandeman Provincial Hospital, Quetta say staff are demanding informal cash payments for treatment that the hospital fee schedule already lists as free.
Quetta, Balochistan · Launched August 13, 2026
Live Campaign Impact
The Story
Families at Sandeman Provincial Hospital, Quetta say ward staff have been asking for unofficial cash payments of between one and three thousand rupees to move patients up the queue for X-rays and minor procedures - services that are supposed to be free under the fee schedule posted by the Balochistan Health Department. One family reported paying after being told there would otherwise be a two-day wait for an urgent scan, despite the machine being visibly idle at the time. At least four different families in the same ward reported similar requests within the same week in July. A written complaint submitted through the hospital complaint box on 25 July has gone unanswered.
An internal audit of ward-level informal charges at Sandeman Provincial Hospital and disciplinary action against staff found demanding payment for services listed as free, with the free fee schedule enforced and publicised.
Verified Facts
Families at Sandeman Provincial Hospital, Quetta say ward staff have asked for informal cash payments of between one and three thousand rupees to move patients up the queue for X-rays and minor procedures.1
These procedures are listed as free under the fee schedule set by the Balochistan Health Department, which is posted on a board in the hospital corridor.2
One family reported paying after being told there would otherwise be a two-day wait for an urgent scan, despite the X-ray machine being visibly idle at the time.3
At least four different families in the same ward reported similar requests within the same week in July.4
A written complaint submitted through the hospital complaint box on 25 July has not received a response from the hospital administration.5
Evidence & Verification
Campaign Kit
What happened
At Sandeman Provincial Hospital, Quetta, families of several patients say ward staff have asked for unofficial cash payments, between one and three thousand rupees, to move patients up the queue for X-rays and minor procedures that are supposed to be free. The fee schedule confirming these services are free is posted on a board in the hospital corridor. One family paid after being told there would be a two-day wait for an urgent scan, even though the X-ray machine was visibly idle at the time.
Why it matters
At least four different families in the same ward reported similar requests within the same week in July, which suggests this is not a one-off but a pattern. The fee schedule posted in the hospital corridor already says these services are free, and a written complaint submitted through the complaint box on 25 July has gone unanswered.
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Government & Authority Response
Anti-Corruption Establishment Balochistan
Awaiting response · 12 days
Related Campaigns
TikTok caption
Free on paper. Not free at the counter. Families at Sandeman Provincial Hospital, Quetta say staff are asking for Rs 1,000 to 3,000 to skip the queue for services the posted fee schedule already lists as free. #EndInformalCharges #QuettaHealth #PakistanCivic #Accountability
30-second script
HOOK: There is a fee schedule on the wall of Sandeman Provincial Hospital that says these services are free. So why are families paying? BODY: Multiple families in the same ward say staff have asked for one to three thousand rupees to move a patient up the queue for an X-ray or minor procedure. One family paid after being told there would be a two-day wait for an urgent scan, while the machine sat idle. At least four families reported the same thing within one week in July. A written complaint went into the hospital complaint box on 25 July. No response yet. CTA: Tag the Balochistan Health Department, ask them to audit this ward and enforce the free fee schedule already posted on their own wall.
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Community
Reported by @citizen_17
Submitted Videos
Overheard it myself: 'pay the ward boy 500 and you skip the line.' Public hospital, supposedly free treatment. #PayToSkipPK
Second visit, same hospital, same under-the-table charge for a 'quick' token number. Nothing has changed. #PayToSkipPK
Talked to three families paying bribes just to see a doctor sooner. This is the queue-skipping racket nobody wants to name. #PayToSkipPK
Documented the informal 'fast-track fee' being asked for at registration today. Free healthcare shouldn't have a price list. #PayToSkipPK
Community Discussion