Hospital equipment left outdoors

Construction delay amid rain raises cost

GUJRANWALA:

Equipment worth hundreds of thousands of rupees has been kept in the open in the Civil Hospital, because of which it has begun to rust.

According to sources, ACs, mattresses, surgical instruments, electric heaters and wheelchairs are getting damaged.

Construction work has been going on in Civil Hospital for the past 10 months, the budget of which has gone into billions. However, the work has been delayed because of rains.

When the work had started, its aim had been stated to be to revamp the building, but equipment including stretchers, beds and oxygen cylinders and other valuable equipment were placed in the open.

Due to the rains, the valuables are rusting and may be wasted.

The sources said the equipment could still be repaired and made usable but it was turning into scrap because of the negligence of the hospital management. Buying new equipment to replace the damaged ones would put a burden on the government treasury.

When contacted, then hospital's Medical Superintendent Dr Irshadullah Guraya said lists of the items were being prepared and they would be auctioned.

Replying to a question, he said the hospital would retain the items that were in a good condition.