KOHAT: The medical superintendant of the Liaquat Memorial Hospital has said operating theatres, the nursery and emergency have been put on solar power to ensure their round-the-clock functioning.

Talking to Dawn on Friday, Hashim Bukhari said the operating theatres had also backup batteries to carry out surgeries without any hassle.

He regretted that the hospital had two power connections, but sometimes both went off in the absence of a much-needed express line.

He said the hospital, also known as the women and children hospital, was established in

1951, and had a pivotal role to play in healthcare delivery, but had been facing shortage of funds.

He said the number of surgical beds had also been increased from one to five, and an anesthesia machine had also been repaired on contributions from well-off people.

Mr Bukhari said hospital had started laparoscopic surgery without making any cuts into the body by early diagnosing cancer through a microscope.

He said the hospital had set up separate operation theatres for hepatitis B and C patients to save them from the hassle of being referred to Peshawar and the Combined Military Hospital.

CRACKDOWN: During a three-day crackdown on anti-social elements, the Kohat police arrested 130 drug dealers.

A statement issued on Friday said 2,350 suspects were also arrested during the intelligence-based raids.

It said actions were carried out in the city, headquarters, Saddar, Darra Adamkhel and Lachi circles.

The statement said 84 proclaimed offenders were also arrested.

It said the police also seized 20 Kalashnikovs, two Kalakovs, nine repeaters, 12 rifles,

16 shotguns, 210 pistols, 4,000 cartridges, 230kg hashish, two kg ice drug and two kg heroin from the arrested persons.

The statement said 44 persons were arrested for firing in the air.

Published in Dawn, March 4th, 2023