KARACHI, Oct 4: Radiology and gynaecology departments, laboratory and operation theatre facility at Urban Health Centre of North Karachi could not be made functional yet for want of staff.

The in charge of UHC, Dr Syed Khursheed Alam, said on Tuesday that daily OPD of the centre had gone up to 300 patients, however, the centre could not start a few departments, as the required technical staff was not available.

He said that an X-ray machine of 600MA and an ultrasound machine were installed at the centre and eight technical staff beside one doctor was needed to run this service round-the-clock.

Almost all basic equipment was available in the lab and it only needed eight technical staff beside one pathologist. After its functioning, all routine blood and stool tests would be conducted, he added.

Dr Alam said that in operation theatre, OT light, suction machine and other required gadgets were provided, but there was no technical staff to install them. Six OT technicians and six OT assistants were needed to run the operation theatre. After availability of the required staff, all minor surgeries would be done here. However, he added that since anaesthesia machine was not available major surgeries would not be done. Besides, he said ambulance service too was not available to shift patients.

Nonetheless, he pointed out that elevators were also needed, as all indoor wards and operation theatre were located at the first floor of the building. —PPI