Valuable hospital equipment sold as scrap

Serious questions have emerged over the alleged auction of medical equipment, generators, air conditioners and other assets worth millions of rupees at King Abdullah Teaching Hospital (KATH).

According to sources, the hospital administration reportedly declared a large quantity of equipment as scrap and auctioned it off. However, some sources within the hospital claimed that several of the items included in the auction were still functional and in usable condition but were nevertheless classified as condemned equipment before being sold.

Sources said the auction involved more than 150 pieces of medical equipment and machinery, including five ultrasound machines, nine X-ray machines, two portable X-ray units, one C-arm imaging system, 11 ventilators, seven chemistry analysers, three blood gas analysers, 22 oxygen concentrators, six heavy-duty generators, 30 large air conditioners and dozens of other medical devices.

Individuals familiar with the market value of such equipment estimated that replacing the auctioned items with new equipment could cost between Rs300 million and Rs400 million, or even more. However, sources claimed that the auction reportedly generated only around Rs3.8 million, a discrepancy that has raised eyebrows about the decision-making process and valuation of the assets.

When members of the hospital's management committee were contacted, they reportedly stated that they had not been provided with the relevant details or records and were therefore unable to comment on the auction procedure or the decisions taken.

Efforts were made to obtain the version of the Medical Superintendent Dr Javad Swati and the hospital administration. However, no response had been received by the time this report was filed. Stores Administrator Ilyas Qureshi also declined comment.