Hospital generators supply power to doctors’ houses, not wards

As mercury soars, Sukkur hospital's fans come to complete stop

SUKKUR: As mercury soars and load-shedding continues across the country, the plight of patients at Civil Hospital, Sukkur, worsens as they are being denied basic facilities such as fans.

During power outages, the heavy duty generators of the hospitals continue to supply electricity to doctors' residences but many air-conditioners and fans in different wards remain switched off.



"We are restricted from switching on the air-conditioners by the senior officials," said an employee of the hospital, requesting anonymity. It seems as if the generators are only meant for doctors' residences and other areas, he claimed. "Everybody, including hospital's medical superintendent, is aware of this but no action is being taken."



A few years ago, these heavy duty generators were purchased to provide uninterrupted power supply to the hospital in case of load-shedding. A woman, who belonged to Rohri, complained that fans only operate when there is electricity in the hospital, otherwise the fans do not work, even if the generators are switched on.

Taking action

On May 17, Sukkur district and sessions judge Nadeem Ahmed Akhund, along with Sukkur deputy commissioner Dr Waheed Asghar, had visited the hospital.



Taking note of the non-functioning air-conditioners and fans, Akhund ordered the hospital administration to resolve the matter. He also directed the medical superintendent to take action against the staff members who were involved in electricity theft.

The deputy commissioner had told the judge that a heatstroke ward had been established in the hospital with all the relevant facilities. However, the condition of the heatstroke ward was no better as two patients were seen using hand fans, as the electric fans of the ward were not switched on.  The sanitation of the hospital was no better, as blood stains were visible on the floor of the surgical ward.

Increase in funds

On May 7, National Assembly opposition leader Syed Khursheed Ahmed Shah, while inaugurating a CT scanner at the hospital, had announced the annual budget of the hospital has been increased to Rs200 million from Rs65 million. The condition of the hospital remains as dismal as before.

The hospital's medical superintendent Dr Abu Bakar Shaikh was not available for his comments, despite repeated attempts.



Published in The Express Tribune, May 20^th, 2016.