20000130

Lithotripsy machine opens at CMC

KARACHI: The Lithotripsy Machine, worth Rs 3.5 million lying idle at Chandka Medical College Hospital, Larkana for last several years could be put back to operation here Friday only, with the procurement of the much needed stabilizer, says a report dispatched by Medical Superintendent of the hospital.

The lithotripsy machine installed at CMC Hospital in 1991-92 turned inoperational due to constant power fluctuation. The major defect could have been easily rectified and solved through installation of a stabilizer. However, the simple solution could not be reached due to typical official lethargy and red tapism.

Ironically, the non-fuctioning of the machine had singnificantly added to the misery of thousands of patients belonging to adjacent districts of Larkana to those from upper Sindh and lower Balochistan. Majority could not manage visiting other outlets due to resource constraints.

It was only during a recent visit of Sindh minister for health, Dr S M Rab, to the hospital and his taking strong notice of the situation with different sophisticated and costly gadgets lying inoperative due to minor defects that initially lithotripsy machine was put to order.

The minister had directed the medical superintendent, CMC Hospital, to ensure that all out of order machines be urgently rectified. Meanwhile the MS has also submitted the report to the minister regarding measures adopted in compliance to his directives.

He in his report mentioned that the Central Pathology Laboratory has been established, providing 24 hours service to indoor as well as out door patients. Arrangements have also been made for all tests/investigations in to lab.

The MS maintained that the modern and automatic laundry plant installed 15 years ago at the hospital, with maximum capacity to launder hospital linen could not be put to operation from its very beginning. This, however, after the required service and repair has started functioning expected to reduce reliance on manpower and supplementary washing material, besides turning laundering hygienic.

Astonishingly this hospital though being teaching hospital was without Intensive Care Unit (ICU) facility. The health department has provided ICU equipments worth Rs 9,400,00. These have been installed at the medical wards and has also started functioning. ICU will cater to the needs of patients undergoing surgical intervention besides meeting the emergency cases.

The out door patients were facing great difficulties due to nons availability of ultra sound examination facilities at the hospital. Administration has arranged for the facility at its OPD.

The MS mentioned that revenue of the hospital has been increased three times as compared to last three months, from Rs 154,265/- to 311,020.

The report envisages that as a result of effective measure, initiated on the directives of Minister a large number of patients have been provided medical facilities as compared to previous tenure.

During the last three months as many as 64,400 patients were treated against a figure of 51,300 patients treated during July, to September 1999. APP