KARACHI, Oct 22: The non-functioning neurology ward in Abbasi Shaheed Hospital is causing immense problems to patients suffering from head injuries, so patients have to go to another government hospital.

A survey conducted by Dawn showed that such patients, who were taken to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital, were referred to Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC), the only major government hospital in this city of 13 million people which deals with neurology cases.

The 800-bed Abbasi Shaheed Hospital in Nazimabad is being run without a neurology ward since early 1998. Established in 1984-85, the 36-bed neurology ward in the hospital has all along remained neglected. In spite of being an important ward, it has had only one neurologist whose absence either because of his being on leave or his resignation causes suspension of the ward’s functioning.

The neurology ward is equipped with all necessary equipment and has the required staff, but the non-availability of a consultant has delayed the resumption of its functioning.

“We have negotiated with a senior neurologist, who has shown his willingness to join us soon. I have sent the proposal to the government for approval, and hope the ward will resume functioning in a fortnight,” the Medical Superintendent of Abbasi Shaheed Hospital, Dr Azfar Moeed, told Dawn. Two other doctors to assist the consultant would also be appointed.

He suggested that three senior doctors run the ward, and cited past experience in support of his suggestion.

Talking about the non-availability of neurologists, Dr Azfar said neurologists were difficult to come by in Karachi.

However, sources at the hospital said consultants were not willing to join the hospital because of interference in its working by outsiders. This interference had now diminished as compared to the past, they added.

A Computerized Tomography Scan (CT Scan) machine had been installed in the hospital in the early 1990s to provide the facility at the cheapest rate, the chief radiographer, Mr Aftab said. It went out of order after two years of its installation due to technical reasons. The machine had been repaired about two years back, and patients could get their CT Scan done by paying Rs1,500 a scan, he added. He said the facility was available from 8 in the morning up to 2 in the afternoon. If the neurology ward resumed functioning, the timing would be extended.

A doctor in the hospital said CT Scan examination, especially in cases of head injury, was necessary to see the nature of injury and its impact on the sufferer.

Additional Police Surgeon at Abbasi Shaheed Hospital Liaquat Memon said: “We have to refer 70-80 patients a month to the JPMC, who are brought here with a history of head injury.”

He said the hospital could not attend to head injury cases due to the non- functioning neurology ward. Nearly half of such patients died on way to the JPMC, he said.

A senior doctor, however, said even if the neurology ward resumed functioning, the mortality rate would remain unchanged in cases of acute haemorrhage. Even if such patients were provided prompt treatment, they had minimal chances of survival.

The sources at the hospital said the hospital often ran short of X-ray films. They said the official procedure of supply of X-ray films, medicines and necessary equipment was lengthy and complicated. This complicated procedure resulted in delaying the supply of hospital necessaries.