Rs1b upgrade planned for BBH

Three uplift schemes aim to modernise sterilisation, laundry and medical equipment

RAWALPINDI:

Three development schemes worth Rs1,007 million have been forwarded to the Punjab Specialised Healthcare and Medical Education Department for the improvement of healthcare services and system upgrades at Benazir Bhutto General Hospital (BBH).

Remarkably, even in this modern era, the hospital continues to rely on an antiquated dhobi ghat (manual washerman's facility) for its laundry requirements.

The proposed development schemes submitted to the department have identified the urgent need for the installation of a state-of-the-art Central Sterile Supply Department (CSSD) system to centralise the sterilisation of medical instruments, the replacement of obsolete electro-medical equipment, and the establishment of a modern centralised laundry system.

Sources revealed that surgical instruments used in operation theatres and other departments — which must be sterilised and rendered germ-free before reuse — require a modern CSSD system at an estimated cost of Rs170m. Alternatively, an option has been proposed to install seven CSSD-style units at a cost of Rs75m.

Furthermore, to enable the proper reuse of patients' bedsheets, blankets, curtains and other washable items, the installation of advanced laundry machinery costing Rs150m has been proposed. At present, the hospital does not have a formal laundry system and is instead relying on a British-era dhobi ghat operating within a section of the hospital premises.

In addition, the electro-medical equipment currently in use at BBH has deteriorated significantly. To address this, a development scheme worth Rs687m has been proposed for the complete replacement of outdated equipment, enabling the healthcare system to function more effectively in line with prevailing medical standards.

It is pertinent to note that the hospital, formerly known as Rawalpindi General Hospital, was renamed BBGH in 2008. Initially administered by the federal government, the hospital was later placed under the Punjab government and is currently being operated as a teaching hospital by the Punjab Specialised Healthcare and Medical Education Department.