Security concerns: A lifeline for the poor threatened by rising crime

SIUT Sukkur provides medical treatment free-of-charge to thousands of patients.

SUKKUR:

The Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplation (SIUT) in Sukkur has served as salvation for several thousand citizens of the province, ever since its inception in the year 2009. The state-of-the-art facility has provided free treatment to thousands of ailing patients, who could not have afforded it otherwise.

Unfortunately, the facility might not be able to function smoothly after the recent incident of highway robbery that has shaken the confidence of its chief and staff members.

On October 4, a truck carrying medicines and other medical equipment destined for SIUT Sukkur from Karachi was hijacked by dacoits, the institute’s in-charge Dr Adeebul Hassan Rizvi told The Express Tribune. The truck was later found from Shaheed Benazirabad district, without its tyres and other engine parts. The medicines and equipment, worth Rs1 million were still missing, he complained. “The theft of the medicines is not a big deal. What is alarming is that the incident has shaken the confidence of my team,” said Dr Rizvi, adding that a team of doctors travelled to Sukkur from Karachi each week but they were afraid to undertake the journey after the incident.



Lifeline for the ailing

“Shutting down the institute will be like issuing a death warrant for my father who needs dialysis twice a week,” remarked Abdul Ghaffar of Larkana, while talking to The Express Tribune. “I have taken my father to almost all the other health facilities in Larkana and Shikarpur, but the facilities provided at SIUT are unmatched,” he said.

A young woman, Naureen, from Shikarpur, was undergoing a second shot of lithotripsy at the centre. “The establishment of SIUT in Sukkur is a blessing for the poor who could not afford the treatment otherwise,” she said.

Another patient, 18-year-old Ajna, of Khanpur Mahar district in Ghotki, had been living with a damaged kidney since the last couple of years. She had received treatment at the institute and was faring much better, she said. In reply to a question about the expenses incurred for the treatment, she smiled in response, “Just the bus fare from Khanpur Mahar to Sukkur”.

These were the views of some of the patients who had availed the best medical care available at SIUT Sukkur. Thousands of patients from across Sindh and bordering areas of Punjab and Balochistan visit the institute every week. They are not required to spend a single penny except travelling charges. Renowned humanitarian and urologist, Dr Rizvi, runs the outpatient department on Thursdays while his team checks patients on Mondays. Operations, dialysis and lithotripsy procedures are conducted throughout the week under the supervision of a team of doctors, engineers, technicians and paramedics.

Meanwhile the provincial chief minister, police chief and leader of the opposition in the National Assembly have expressed their concern over the tragic incident and promised to provide security to the staff and vehicles. No practical steps, however, have been taken so far, remarked Dr Rizvi.

He added that the incident had taken place at a juncture when they were planning to expand the facility. He went on to say that his team was committed to the cause and will continue to serve humanity. “We don’t ask for much - just security for our staff and team so they can work without fear.”

Sukkur DIG Sharjeel Kareem Kharal, when contacted, told The Express Tribune that a check post had already been established at the facility and a police escort had been provided to the vehicles carrying staff and medicines in Sukkur region. Kharal added that he had also sent a formal request to the provincial chief to provide a dedicated escort to the SIUT team from Karachi to Sukkur and vice versa.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 5^th,2013.