DERA GHAZI KHAN: Patients and staff at the Allama Iqbal Teaching Hospital attached with Ghazi Medical College have been facing difficulties due to the closure of one of the two reverse osmosis plants in the dialysis wards for several weeks.

The closure of the plant has led to an increased load on the remaining operational plant. Sources say the plant was transported to Lahore for repair following standard operating procedures, despite the fact that it could have been repaired locally.

The closure of the plant necessitates fetching water from the ground floor plant to meet the needs of the upper floor dialysis ward, causing further delays.

Dr Asif Bhutta, the head of the nephrology department, said that dialysis procedures were being conducted routinely using the functional plant and a backup plant.

He said that more than 200 patients were registered for dialysis, with 60 patients receiving dialysis daily.

Deputy Commissioner Shahid Zaman Lak claimed that he had directed the concerned company to repair the machine as soon as possible to ensure the convenience of patients and hospital staff.

Published in Dawn, April 1st, 2024