LARKANA: The lithotripter installed in the Department of Urology at the Chandka Medical College Hospital (CMCH) has been lying dysfunctional for about six months. The problem has already left hundreds of patients, suffering from calculus in kidney or certain other parts, in the lurch.

Prof Amanullah Abbasi, head of the Urology Department, explains that lithotripter is used to break stones in kidney, urinary tract, bile ducts or pancreatic duct with a series of shock waves generated by a machine.

While confirming that the matter of repair has been lingering on for months, he pointed out that in Sindh, the Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL) facility is available only at the CMCH, which has a 2,000-bed capacity. It caters to the needs of patients coming from parts of Balochistan and Punjab, besides Sindh. Sufferings of these patients are increasing with each passing day, he said, adding that remedial measures have to be taken at the earliest. “The ESWL facility is not available at any private sector health facility functioning across Larkana division,” he said while discussing gravity of the situation.

Speaking to Dawn, he said that on an average 10 to 15 patients used to be treated with this procedure every day at this department who included three/four paediatric patients’ cases handled on Wednesdays. The ratio of male and female patients stood at 3:1, he said.

“As a daily routine, we used to receive patients from Dadu, Larkana, Shikarpur, Jacobabad, Kandhkot-Kashmore and Khairpur districts of Sindh, as well as parts of Balochistan and southern Punjab,” he said.

The treatment at CMCH is free of cost, he pointed out. Associate Professor Dr Khubchand, associated with the Department of Urology, stressed early rectification of the fault to revive the lithotripter so that such a big number of poor patients could be provided treatment to their kidney-related issues without any further delay.

Prof Abbasi told Dawn that the machine required regular maintenance, which is supposed to be undertaken by the contractor concerned. He said the matter had already been communicated to the vice chancellor of the Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Medical University (SMBBMU) and medical superintendent of the CMCH but without any progress as yet.

Contractor’s role

CMCH Medical Superintendent Dr Mubashir Kolachi disclosed to Dawn that soon after the lithotripter developed the fault six months ago, a tender for its repair and maintenance was floated and finally the contract was awarded to the lowest bidder. The party, however, did not turn up within the stipulated time after visiting the Urology Department and committing to undertake the job, he said. Taking it serious, the matter was accordingly conveyed to the health department telling it about the contractor’s reluctance to complete the formalities and process. The health department was also apprised of the increasing miseries of patients, said Dr Kolachi.

It is learnt that the CMCH administration is trying its best to get the faulty lithotripter repaired and revived as soon as possible. It intends to approach the second lowest bidder to award the contract but has to wait for a nod from the health department.

Published in Dawn, March 16th, 2024