KARACHI, Dec 12: A large number of in-house patients at the Civil Hospital Karachi (CHK) have been suffering for some weeks as the management had suspended computed tomography (CT) scanning facility on “technical grounds”.

Hospital sources said several patients from different wards, including the emergency ward, have to return in sheer disappointment when they were informed about the closure of facility and that they could not undergo the essential medical imaging. Many patients were taken to other private concerns outside the hospital for the purpose.

Over three weeks back, the scanner had stopped functioning for want of CT tube, a source said, adding that hospital authority had already ordered to procure an imported CT tube. However, the machine would be made functional only after the shifting of entire computed tomography system to the CHK’s neurosurgery department, which will be relocated at Services Hospital premises as a part of the trauma centre project, the source added.

About 20 to 25 patients are recommended the CT imaging daily. For last three weeks, patients have been sent outside the hospital for CT scan which cost them extra time and money.

The admitted patients used to get the scanning facility at the civil hospital free of cost.

When contacted CHK Medical Superintendent Dr Kaleem Butt said the old CT tube had been exhausted and diagnostic imaging system had come to a standstill two weeks back.

“We have already placed order for an imported tube that is going to cost heavily. However, in view of the proposed shifting of the CT scan section and neurosurgery department to the Services Hospital premises it has been decided that the tube should be fixed after relocation of the department,” Dr Butt said, adding that the new tube, if placed at the CHK, could get damaged while shifting to the new premises.

In reply to a question, he said the charges of CT scan at private facilities were borne through Zakat fund and other donations if the patient was recommended by consultants at the CHK. “We make the payments against CT scan cost to other centres through cheque and as such patients do not have to pay for that from their pockets,” he added.

However, an insider said if the existing CT centre remained out of order and the shifting did not complete on time there were chances that a huge chunk of funds would go waste under the CT scan head thus depriving many patients of other medical requirements.