KARACHI, Nov 2: A cell separator procured at the cost of Rs3 million has been lying idle for about six weeks at the Sindh Government Qatar Hospital, Orangi Town, as funds are not available to purchase mega unit platelet bags.

The hospital staff attached much importance to the machine, acquired through the Sindh Blood Transfusion Authority at a time when the city is in the grip of dengue fever and patients need to be given platelets. They said they had heard three weeks back that the provincial health department had been making efforts for an early provision of the relevant kit.

SBTA chief Dr Zahid Ansari said the imported equipment had been acquired from a local supplier for the Sindh government hospitals. The latest equipment was essential for collecting blood components required for a patient of bleeding, like in the case of dengue fever, he added.

The supply of the platelet bags was never considered a part of the SBTA’s procurement exercise, as it was for the hospital to address the issue, he said when asked about the use of the machine without its kit.

Qatar Hospital MS Dr Saif Ahmed told Dawn that the hospital had already spent a lot on the purchase of a power backup unit and an additional room to make the machine functional.

“Since the bags will cost an extraordinary amount (i.e. around Rs8,500 per bag) if purchased from a local supplier, we will have to dedicate a large amount in this regard,” he said, adding that unfortunately the SBTA has not been able to arrange a demonstration of the machine’s working.

According to conservative estimates, a staffer concerned said, the hospital would need 600 to 800 platelet bags only in the case of dengue patients for one season and as such hospital would require Rs5 million to Rs6.5 million for the procurement.

A senior health official requesting anonymity said a presentation on public health had been made recently before the chief secretary on his directives. The presentation focused on relief to general public and effective measures against dengue, including the availability of platelets and purchase of some relevant items. If the department’s request was upheld there were chances that the cost of platelet bags for Qatar Hospital would also be met, the official said.