THIS is apropos of the report ‘Dialysis centre faces threat of closure’ (Oct 6) by your correspondent of Naushahro Feroze. It is the country’s second major dialysis centre after the one at the Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation (SIUT) in Karachi.

However, it is facing the threat of closure due to an inordinate delay in the release of Rs15 million in funds allocated several months back for the district, as well as for Dadu, Khairpur and some other districts. A dialysis facility was extended to over 20 patients a day until a couple of months back.

It was established within the Civil Hospital, Naushahro Feroze, in 2010 with at least 10 dialysis units installed there. It ran two shifts a day. It was providing excellent healthcare services when the finance department continued to release its allocated funds on time.

However, it did not receive any funds for the year 2012-13 for reasons best known to the authorities concerned.

The matter was taken up with Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah by the health department when the so-called provincial cabinet held a meeting in Naushahro Feroze on Aug 4.

After discussing all relevant issues with the officials concerned, the chief minister ordered an immediate release of Rs15 million to avoid closure of the centre or any disruption in the delivery of health services there.

The centre also ran out of essential medicines and at one stage it had to obtain small stocks of medicines from Sukkur and Hyderabad stores on credit. The centre’s credit balance has risen up to Rs800,000 and the stores concerned have refused to oblige it anymore.

The citizens appealed to the health and finance department for the release of funds but in vain. They demand that the dialysis centre be connected with SIUT, Karachi, through the satellite system.

Dr NEELAM QADEER MEMON Naushahro Feroze