RAWALPINDI: A 25-bed new block of the emergency ward of Benazir Bhutto Hospital (BBH) has been lying unused since its construction in June as its management does not have funds to procure furniture and other equipment.

The block was constructed by the provincial government in lieu of four kanal land of the hospital it (government) included in the metro bus project.

“The hospital required paraphernalia to run operation theatre, X-ray and ultrasound machines, 25 beds, operation lights and equipment to establish dressing room,” said a senior official of the hospital on condition of anonymity. He said the government constructed the building to avoid criticism as metro bus project had eaten up the hospital’s land.

Replying to a question, he said the hospital’s building, constructed in 60s, needed maintenance as rainwater seeped through the roof and walls were in a dilapidated condition.

He said that more than 2,000 patients visited the emergency department daily but 48 beds were not enough to cope with the patients.

The official said the hospital also lacked machinery and ventilators in the existing emergency wards. 

“The C.T. scan machine and other equipment of the emergency ward have been lying out of order for the last three years and the patients have to go to private laboratory for pathological tests,” he said.

When contacted, BBH Medical Superintendent (MS) Dr. Asif Qadir Mir said the new block of the emergency ward would soon become operational.

He said the hospital had Rs150 million from the provincial government to purchase beds and machinery to open the building for the general public.    

The MS said the government wanted to improve the services in the hospital and was providing funds in this regard.

With the addition of the new block the existing emergency ward would also be improved. He said that the provincial government had provided a C.T. scan machine which would soon be installed.

Published in Dawn, August 11th, 2015

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