RIUT grapples with HVAC issue

Unexpected development exacerbates problems of patients in chilly weather

RAWALPINDI:

As the country is hit by a cold wave, the Rawalpindi Institute of Urology and Transplantation (RIUT) faces a critical challenge of the malfunctioning of its crucial heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system.

The unexpected development has exacerbated the problems of the patients, their attendants and the hospital staff during the harsh winter conditions.

Upon discovering the breakdown of the hospital’s HVAC system during his visit, the Rawalpindi commissioner swiftly issued orders for its immediate repairs. The targeted completion time for the fix was set for Saturday night.

Expressing concern for the patients, the commissioner emphasised the urgency of changing HVAC sensors promptly, ensuring full functionality by the evening. During his visit, he inspected crucial departments, including emergency, operation theatre, radiology, dialysis centre, and the Outpatient Department (OPD).

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“The patients can't bear this cold; the HVAC sensors should be changed immediately and should be made fully functional by this evening,” the commissioner told the relevant officials.

Subsequently, the commissioner received a comprehensive briefing from the Director of Medical Services (DMS) regarding the hospital’s facilities and ongoing renovation work conducted by the building department. The hospital, equipped with 250 beds, accommodates over 100 emergency patients daily, underscoring its commitment to providing state-of-the-art healthcare services.

The RIUT’s OPD handles about 250 to 300 patients each day while offering services such as surgery, dialysis, pathology, radiology, and nephrology. Anticipating further enhancement, the kidney transplant unit is slated for completion by March.

Furthermore, 13 departments of Holy Family Hospital (HFH) are temporarily extending services at RIUT, which is currently experiencing increased patient volume due to ongoing renovations at HFH. Notably, all encroachments on the service road near RIUT have been cleared, facilitating convenient patient access to the hospital.

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During his visit, the commissioner acknowledged RIUT’s dedication to providing cutting-edge medical facilities to the people of Rawalpindi.

He seized the opportunity to engage with patients and their families, demonstrating a commitment to understanding their concerns first-hand.

Authorities remain resolute in their mission to swiftly restore the HVAC system, alleviating the discomfort faced by patients during the winter season.

The RIUT, a mega health project which was initiated in 2012, remains incomplete despite its construction conclusion in 2005. Operating without kidney transplant services, the hospital’s limited offerings include outpatient, emergency, and dialysis units.

Shehbaz Sharif laid the foundation of the project as the chief minister of Punjab in 2012.

However, the project was hit by many snags in the preceding years for one reason or the other with the change of hands at the provincial level.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 7^th, 2024.