11 October 2004	Monday	25 Shaban 1425

KARACHI, Oct 10: CT Scan facility at the radiology department of Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre has been suspended for more than three weeks, as its tube has expired forcing patients to avail the facility from private sector.

The JPMC's radiology department head, Dr Tariq Mehmood, said that the tube had completed its expiry age as there was warranty of tube for one year or 40,000 exposures. "But, luckily we have got 129,500 exposures with the tube and had quality results," he added.

"The tube is not manufactured in Pakistan and we have to import it from Japan. The order has been placed on the date of expiry of previous tube, but, the process takes some time as officials have to invite open tenders first and award contract for the import later," he said.

Dr Tariq mentioned that the cost of 3.5KHU capacity tube was around Rs3.7 million in Pakistan. He further said that about 30 patients usually visit the radiology department for the facility.

"It usually costs from Rs1,000 to Rs3,500. At present, we are referring all such patients to PNS Shifa and other private facilities, which were offering 50 per cent discount in their rates for JPMC patients," he added.

He expressed hope that the tube would be installed within the next week with the help of which CT Scan facility would become functional. - PPI