NAWABSHAH, Nov 6: Patients belonging to Nawabshah and the adjoining districts are suffering due to non-functioning of lithotripsy machine at the People’s Medical College hospital for two months.

The machine, valued at about Rs25 million, was installed in the urology ward of the hospital a few months back for the treatment of kidney patients.

A Belgian technician was brought in here for its installation.

Dr Mohammad Ali Sohail of the hospital said that the machine was not working due to a technical fault.

Some of the technicians were also brought from Karachi to rectify the fault but they also failed to make the machine operational.

He said that he had informed the medical superintendent of the PMCH a number of times.

Medical Superintendent Dr Mohammad Ali Sarewal said that he had informed the secretary health about the fault.

He said that the machine was under a warranty and needed replacement of a part for which the company had placed an order.

Since the part would be imported from Japan, it would take sometime, he added.

Patient carrying stones from Nawabshah, Naushahro Feroze, Sanghar, Dadu and other areas are suffering as they have to go to Hyderabad and Karachi for treatment.

PROTEST: Farmers of the Dhoro Naro minor of the Nusrat irrigation division held a protest demonstration outside the press club against acute shortage of water here on Monday.