PESHAWAR, July 12: Frequent power breakdowns that sometimes stretch to hours are fast becoming the main reason for postponed surgeries and complications caused by repeated delay in tests and treatment at the Khyber Teaching Hospital, officials say.

Doctors at the 1200-bed hospital are finding it difficult to attend to the growing number of patients owing to severe heat.

“We have not been able to perform operations. Power outages have become a nuisance for us and patients,” said a surgeon, adding that performing an operation without the airconditioner functioning could be dangerous for patients. Sources said that the hospital had purchased the airconditioners from a US-based firm in 1973 for Rs30.4 million.

The plant has been in place for more than 40 years despite the fact that it had been damaged because of a bomb blast in 1983. Although the plant has been repaired, it has not been functioning properly, said an official of the hospital.

The hospital authorities blamed Peshawar Electric Supply Company (Pesco) for the defects developed in the main airconditioner of the hospital, saying that Pesco had failed to ensure uninterrupted power supply to the hospital.

“We are paying Rs5 million as electricity bill to the Pesco every month. But the supply is faulty. The persistent breakdowns are affecting the capacity of the air-conditioning plant,” said an official.

“On several occasions we have to postpone operations. We cannot perform lengthy and time-consuming surgeries due to the fear of power breakdown,” a senior surgeon told this reporter.

An official said that it was not possible to install split airconditioners in the operation theatre, because there is no mechanism to drain the water discharged from the units.

They asked the Pesco to install a special line to the hospital to ensure steady power supply in case of loadshedding.