KARACHI, Oct 7: The Paediatric Intensive Care Unit at the Civil Hospital, Karachi has completed its first year of operation.
A ceremony was held to mark completion of the first year of PICU and sixth year of endoscopic unit at the paediatrics department, CHK on Saturday.
The chairman of the CHK’s board of governors, Abu Shamim Arif, lauded Karachiites for their deep sense of responsibility towards their poor fellow citizens.
He said that extremely crucial but expensive services could be arranged and managed free of charge only through generous donations. Philanthropists and donors supporting the paediatrics department, CHK, under the umbrella of Save Our Children Trust were highly appreciated.
The board of governors announced that 500 KV generator procured for the Civil Hospital would be functional from next week while another gas operated generator was being procured.
“A philanthropist has also committed to provide funds for installation of a new lift in the gynaecology ward,” he said.
Prof Kaleem Butt, MS, CHK, lauded Prof Iqbal Memon and his team for making the unit one of the most public-friendly facilities. He took into account the fact that PICU managed to attend to 255 critically infant patients during the last 10 months with 188 of them fully recovered.
Prof Mohammad Iqbal Memon, in charge of paediatrics ward-3 said that PICU and endoscopy unit were very much needed as no other Sindh government hospital had provision for the same.
CHK is attending patients from Sindh, Balochistan and other parts of the country; he said referring to instances of respiratory failure a complication associated with pneumonia.
“Presently we also have two cases of hemorrhagic fever including one of a 10-year-old boy confirmed to be inflicted with dengue hemorrhagic fever,” he told APP on conclusion of the ceremony reminding that the child has been discharged on Saturday morning only.
As for PICU, he said majority of the new born are those who develop sepsis due to poor handling during delivery or poor ante-natal care. Unclean delivery, infections caused to mother during pregnancy or those contracted by kids also cause severe and life threatening conditions among new born, he elaborated.
He said all expenses to run and manage the PICU was being provided by Save Our Children Trust, including salary for four doctors, nurses, paramedics, all required drugs, maintenance of essential gadgets and incubators.
Dr Nand Lal presented the annual report 2005-06 of Save Our Children Trust.
Dr Rustam Zaman and Dr Ghulam Murtaza offered vote of thanks. Donors including Razzaq Diwan, Dr Ghaffarullah, Rangoonwala Trust Representative Said Mirza and others were also present.—APP
