KARACHI, Oct 29: The telephone exchange of the Abbasi Shaheed Hospital has been out of order for the past four days.

Sources told Dawn that the antiquated telephone exchange of the hospital had given way recently. As a result, all the seven lines of the board — 6617942-8 — had not been functioning, they added.

Situated in the crowded Nazimabad, Block 3, the ASH is the biggest hospital of the city government. With 850 beds, 23 wards and 18 operation theatres, it is the third largest hospital in the city.

The sources said the administration of the Abbasi Shaheed Hospital was trying to replace the out-of-order telephone exchange but had not been successful because of a paucity of funds.