KARACHI, Feb 12: Dozens of poor patients including senior citizens visiting the radiology department of Civil Hospital Karachi are not getting their ultrasound and X-ray tests immediately and the ultrasound patients have to wait for two to three hours despite having the appointment time.

An official of the radiology department on Saturday stated that around 70 patients used to visit the ultrasound unit daily only while just three machines were functioning in the section. "Another reason for the delay is that around 20-25 patients used to have their ultrasound tests free of cost, most of them are usually referred by department's high officials and influential persons from outside hospital," he added.

He said: "In the X-ray section, four machines are functioning and another machine has to be installed in the section that will lessen some patient load. After up-gradation of the department, public is expecting too much and swathes of patients are rushing here to avail the facility on nominal charges. There is need of additional three ultrasound and four X-ray machines to meet the growing demand," he added.

He said that there should be a counter for senior citizens, as one third of the patients visiting daily were senior citizens and they too had to wait for their turn.

Chief Coordinator, Dowites' 79, Prof Naheed Sultan, when contacted justified that there was always rush of patients and one ultrasound test could take five to 20 minutes depending on the requirements.

"In the meantime, ultrasound of indoor and emergency patients is also done out-of-turn causing delay for general patients. Less than 10 cases are also referred every day by health officials and influential parties as it is not unusual in our setup," she added.

She said that suggestion regarding installation of a separate machine for senior citizens and emergencies could be considered, but it would take some time to implement. "There are certain things to be streamlined. One of our main concerns is security in the department and there is also shortage of watchmen in the hospital. We have hired one private watchman and one sweeper," she maintained.

It may be mentioned that the project was launched jointly by the Poor Patients Aid Society (PPAS) and Dowites' 79 (student group of Dow Medical College) in start of 2004 and the upgraded radiology department was inaugurated by Sindh Health Adviser Faisal Malik in mid of December last. -PPI