THATTA, April 1: The building of the 36-bed tuberculosis ward of the Makli Civil Hospital needs renovation as it is in dilapidated condition. The in charge of the ward, Dr Inayat Rasool Baloch, said 21 beds of the ward had been shifted to the paediatric ward without his consent and patients of remote areas had to sleep on the floor in corridor.

Currently, nine patients are under treatment in the ward. Dr Baloch said they were not admitting more patients due to the dilapidated condition of the building.

A nurse, Saira Jabeen, complained of non-availability of potable water in the ward. Dr Wasdev Lohana, a chest specialist and TB coordinator for Thatta, said 12 diagnostic centres and 39 treatment centres had been set up in nine talukas of the district under the Directory Observed Treatment Short Course (DOTS) programme in coordination with the WHO.

He said 60 trained doctors and 15 paramedical staff were also providing health services at 84 health facilities of the district under the DOTS programme.

He said from Nov 1 2003 to Dec 31, 2003, 76 tuberculosis patients had been treated under the programme and during the ongoing phase, 150 cases of the disease had been treated.

Representatives of social welfare organizations, residents and health staff have demanded that instead of extending services under the DOTS programme, the tuberculosis ward of the civil hospital should be renovated and provided with essential facilities.