KARACHI, March 18: A drug bank and a memorial park will soon be set up at the Spencer Eye Hospital with the help of the Lions Club to provide free treatment to the poor and the needy patients. The facilities will start function from the next month.

Dr Qazi Mohammad Wasiq, who took over as Medical Superintendent (MS) of the hospital recently, said his goal was to restore the past glory of the institution. A major renovation and face-lifting programme has also been initiated with the help of the community and through raising of donations.

The park, which will also have sitting arrangements for patients’ attendants, is being set up in memory of Dr M.H. Rizvi, under whose leadership the hospital was elevated to the status of a sophisticated hi-tech ophthalmic unit.

Dr Qazi pointed out that the academic activities had been resumed at the hospital after a lapse of about six years. The lecture hall has also been renovated, he added.

He said the development works had been carried out in collaboration with the community, besides raising funds for the purpose.

The hospital’s library, which remained closed for a long time, has also been reactivated, the MS said.

Three diagnostic rooms have been set up and equipped with basic modern ophthalmic examination facilities. Two out-of-order laser machines have been repaired. It was also pointed out that the diode machine had been inoperative for the past two years.

Anaesthesia equipment, including EGG monitor, pulse meter and vital max etc., in the operation theatre are being reinstalled. The complete renovation of the mobile eye unit has also been carried out.

A community awareness programme has been initiated in collaboration with the Social Work Department of Karachi University and the Social Welfare Department of Saddar Town.

The hospital recently marked Dr M.H. Rizvi Day and on the occasion an old patient, who was operated upon by Dr Rizvi some 30 years ago, planted a sampling in the premises of the hospital.

The Spencer Eye Hospital is the oldest specialized hospital of the country. It was established in 1938 by a Parsi doctor, Dr K.N. Spencer.

At present it is under the administrative control of the city district government Karachi.—APP