OKARA: There are 724 patients in the waiting list for dialysis in the DHQ Hospital’s centre where 17 machines operate round the clock in three shifts providing facility to the 51 patients who require dialysis therapy (DT) twice a week.

Five of the machines are for the patients who are suffering from hepatitis C.

This was stated by DHQ hospital Medical Superintendent Dr Rai Niaz Ahmad at the inauguration of four dialysis machines donated by the Patients Welfare Society (PWS). Deputy Commissioner Maryam Khan who was invited as a guest to the inauguration ceremony, was asked to ensure relief for the patients by requesting the Punjab Health Department to provide facilities.

DT centre in-charge technologist Ms Iqra said the facility was established in December 2008 and since then it had been treating the patients free of cost. She said the patients could not afford the high cost of dialysis and were on the waiting list.

Published in Dawn, December 12th, 2018