Getting by : Dialysis machine at Chiniot DHQ Hospital out-of-order for want of funds
MS says government yet to release funds for repair of worn down machines.
MS says government yet to release funds for repair of worn down machines. PHOTO: FILE
FAISALABAD:
A dialysis machine at the Chiniot district headquarters hospital has been out of order for three months and the remaining five are near collapse for want of repair.
Several patients waiting for check-ups at the hospital’s urology ward told The Express Tribune that they had been facing a lot of difficulty in this regard.
Muhammad Amjad, the attendant of a patient suffering from kidney-disease, said, “There used to be six functional dialysis machines at the DHQ hospital’s urology ward...they all barely worked and we were told that they hadn’t been repaired for over a year.”
Amjad said he had brought his relative for dialysis to the hospital several times and had to jump through various hoops for the simple procedure. “But then three months ago, one of the machines went out of order and the remaining five had to handle an increased load…it is only a matter of time till they conk out too.”
Dialysis Room In-charge Dr Muhammad Ajmal Hinjra said, “We have informed the medical superintendent about the broken down dialysis machine…in the meantime, the rest of the five machines are handling the load. We understand that some patients would have to wait longer for their turn.”
He said the long wait for dialysis could take a toll on patients’ health. “There have been problems…the patients and hospital staff members have exchanged angry words several times over the past few months. However, our hands are tied.” Dr Hinjra said as in-charge of the dialysis room, he was supposed to inform the hospital medical superintendent about defective machinery. “I have done my part…now, it’s up to the medical superintendent to ensure proper repair and maintenance of dialysis machines and not wait till they are done for.”
He said the machines should be checked for possible defects at least once a month.
When contacted, the Chiniot DHQ Hospital medical superintendent said he was aware of the situation. “We are trying our best to get funds for the repair and maintenance of dialysis machines. We will get on it as soon as the government releases the funds.”
Published in The Express Tribune, December 9th, 2015.
A dialysis machine at the Chiniot district headquarters hospital has been out of order for three months and the remaining five are near collapse for want of repair.
Several patients waiting for check-ups at the hospital’s urology ward told The Express Tribune that they had been facing a lot of difficulty in this regard.
Muhammad Amjad, the attendant of a patient suffering from kidney-disease, said, “There used to be six functional dialysis machines at the DHQ hospital’s urology ward...they all barely worked and we were told that they hadn’t been repaired for over a year.”
Amjad said he had brought his relative for dialysis to the hospital several times and had to jump through various hoops for the simple procedure. “But then three months ago, one of the machines went out of order and the remaining five had to handle an increased load…it is only a matter of time till they conk out too.”
Dialysis Room In-charge Dr Muhammad Ajmal Hinjra said, “We have informed the medical superintendent about the broken down dialysis machine…in the meantime, the rest of the five machines are handling the load. We understand that some patients would have to wait longer for their turn.”
He said the long wait for dialysis could take a toll on patients’ health. “There have been problems…the patients and hospital staff members have exchanged angry words several times over the past few months. However, our hands are tied.” Dr Hinjra said as in-charge of the dialysis room, he was supposed to inform the hospital medical superintendent about defective machinery. “I have done my part…now, it’s up to the medical superintendent to ensure proper repair and maintenance of dialysis machines and not wait till they are done for.”
He said the machines should be checked for possible defects at least once a month.
When contacted, the Chiniot DHQ Hospital medical superintendent said he was aware of the situation. “We are trying our best to get funds for the repair and maintenance of dialysis machines. We will get on it as soon as the government releases the funds.”
Published in The Express Tribune, December 9th, 2015.