KARACHI, Sept 21: The operation theatre complex project at the Civil Hospital Karachi has delayed for almost four months due to paucity of funds to procure some latest equipment as well as some administrative problems.

The project is aimed to have state-of-the-art integrated and most modern facilities for elective surgeries at the hospital. The project is executed by Dowites 78 batch (students of Dow Medical College), which was scheduled to complete in August 2005.

Dr Shafiqur Rehman said that construction work had almost been completed and most of the equipment had been already installed. “However, there is some delay to start function due to some reasons, including objection of cultural heritage department on installation of elevators, which has now solved and the department has approved the final plan.

The other reason is shortage of funds to procure some most needed equipment, which include OT lights, operation tables, anaesthesia machine, diathermy, suction machine, monitors, elevators and other operating instruments,” he added.

He said about Rs60 million had been spent on the construction and procurement of some equipment, while Rs30 million more were needed to start operations in the complex. “Most of medical staff is available with the hospital, but still we need about 15 administrative and technical staff for the new project,” he said.

The complex would have 14 operation theatres, changing rooms for doctors, staff and nurses, receptions, inquiry offices, scrub areas, janitorial staff rooms, drug stores, recovery hall with full ICU and monitor facility, and central sterilized supply departments on second floor of the building. An auditorium for 250 people, waiting area of over 100 attendants and a canteen had also been constructed on the third floor, he mentioned.

He said opening of this theatre was expected in December this year if everything went well. —PPI