LAHORE, June 19: A prostrate gland laser surgery equipment (1,000 Watt holmium: yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser) has become functional at the urology department of the Lahore General Hospital (LGH).

According to a press release, the high-power Ho:YAG equipment purchased at a cost of approximately Rs12 million is the first laser machine of its kind installed in Pakistan.

Prof Dr. Ahmed Salman Waris and his team including Dr. Khizer Hayat, Dr. Khalid Hussain and Dr. Fawad Nasrullah successfully conducted the first surgery with this machine on Saturday.

Mohammad Barkat, a 70-year-old patient of prostate, who underwent the surgery, was much happier after the procedure because his doctors told him that he would go back to routine life within a week as he had not suffered any blood loss or other open surgery complications.

LGH Principal Prof Dr. Tariq Salah-ud-Din says that patients suffering from kidney and bladder diseases now need not to go abroad for treatment as this facility has been provided at LGH free.

He says the up-gradation of LGH departments is in progress and best use of funds will be made to enhance facilities at the leading healthcare institution.