RAWALPINDI, Jan 4: Delay in the reconstruction of TB Hospital has opened a new chapter of troubles for the already suffering patients, as they can’t avail themselves of free treatment and diagnostic facilities previously available to them, it has been learnt.

The building of the pre-partition era TB Centre had been demolished and shifted to the adjunct residence of medical superintendent in March 2006 to build a well-equipped hospital at the place.

An official confided to this reporter that previously free medicines and diagnostic facilities, including free laboratory tests and X-rays, were provided to the patients. He said most of the patients were extremely poor and they had to go to private labs for X-rays.

Irshad Khan, a patient, said that an X-ray from a private lab cost Rs150 that was difficult to manage for those who came from far-off districts. He said though there were TB sanatoria in Murree and Mansehra, none of them provided free medicines and diagnostic facilities. “Though doctors ask us to go to government hospitals for X-rays at subsidized rates, such hospitals are located far away from the TB centre that puts extra burden on our pocket, he said.

A doctor told this reporter that the number of TB patients was increasing day by day. In the past TB was associated with poverty but now rich people were also becoming a victim of the disease thanks to overpopulation, overcrowding, less ventilated residences and malnutrition, he said.

The official said that the number of patients had increased to 40 per cent in the last five years, with 30 to 40 patients visiting the facility every day. The counting goes up to 50 patients a day in June. Every year, 10,000 to 12,000 patients come to the centre for treatment and this overwhelming number of patients could not be accommodated at the centre, he added.

Medical Superintendent Dr Tariq Masood told this reporter that the centre had been shifted to build a new hospital for providing improved services to the patients.

He said two new toilets and a waiting room had been arranged for the patients. As far X-ray facility, Dr Tariq said the present building lacked space for the installation of the machine. He expressed the hope that the new hospital would be complete in two years if things proceeded according to the plan.