Major diagnostic machines lying idle at CHK

KARACHI: The major diagnostic machines of the Dr Ruth Pfau Civil Hospital Karachi (CHK) have been lying out of order for the past two years, and the hospital’s administration has been unable to get them repaired, sources at the CHK noted recently.

The important diagnostic machines of the Radiology Department, like the CT scan and MRI, have not been operational for two years. The incumbent administration of the hospital was unable to get the equipment repaired despite the lapse of two years.    

Similarly, modern gamma camera devices and angiography machines are also not functioning at the Cardiology Department, CHK, for one and a half years. The hospital’s management was unable to get this costly equipment repaired. 

The CHK is Sindh's largest teaching hospital where a score of patients is brought every day from different areas of Karachi and the Sindh province; some of them need diagnostic services such as angiography, CT scan, MRI, and gamma camera.   

Patients are being referred to other public and private sector hospitals due to the non-availability of diagnostic facilities. Private labs charge heavy fees for conducting diagnostics tests, which are out of the reach of poor patients.  

The Sindh government has allocated 24 million for the maintenance and repair of out of order equipment each year. The repairing charges of diagnostics machines, however, have increased with the passage of time and increase in dollar value.

 Therefore, the CHK’s management was unable to get these diagnostic machines repaired. 

Acting Medical Superintendent, CHK, Dr Noor Muhmmad Soomro, was not available for comments. 

-MN Report