KARACHI, Sept 17: More than two dozen surgical operations had to be cancelled at the Civil Hospital Karachi due to a power breakdown on Wednesday. Several of the patients left the hospital for other healthcare units as a consequence.

According to the hospital’s medical superintendent, several newborns who were confined to the hospital’s incubators had to be shifted to the other hospitals. Capt Dr M. Raza Ali told Dawn that the breakdown occurred at 9am and until 8pm the fault had not been removed.

Dr Ali said the CHK’s casualty department was barely functioning as the X-Ray equipment was not operational. Even the seriously injured patients could not be taken care of properly.

About two months ago a meeting had been held with the senior KESC staff, said the MS, during which it was decided that no matter what the power supply to the hospital would remain unaffected because it catered to the medical needs of more than 2,000 sick people.

“The KESC officials had promised that a standby generator would be provided to our hospital. They had also promised that they would remain in constant touch with us.

“However, instead of them keeping in touch with us, we are trying to get in touch with them. And yet, nobody is ready to listen to us.”

The CHK’s MS said an emergency had been declared in the hospital and all the senior staff had been asked to keep a constant vigil on their patients so that any untoward incident could be avoided.