Stopgap measure: Contractor resumes oxygen supply to Polyclinic

Decision made on ‘humanitarian grounds’; hospital yet to repay Rs4m.

ISLAMABAD:

The supply of oxygen to the Federal Government Services (Polyclinic) Hospital was resumed on a temporary basis early Wednesday morning after it was suspended over failure to repay Rs4 million to a private contractor.

“I have resumed oxygen supply on a temporary basis on humanitarian grounds as many neonatal patients are admitted in the intensive care unit and their life completely depends on this supply. However, if the hospital administration fails to resolve the issue I will suspend oxygen supply to the hospital’s Maternal Newborn and Child Health centre in Sector G-6,” said Malik Rehmat, the private contractor supplying the lifeline gas to the hospital.

While talking to The Express Tribune, Rehmat said that on Monday, the hospital administration had assured him that he would be paid the dues at 2pm, but they failed to do so and began using delaying tactics.

“This kind of attitude of the hospital administration clearly depicts how much they are concerned about the life of patients admitted in the critical wards,” he said.

The contractor said three years ago the hospital administration took 104 oxygen cylinders from him on loan and assured him that they would make the payments within 15 to 20 days.

“Till date they have not paid the amount and now keep on delaying the payment while making lame excuses,” he said.

Polyclinic’s Executive Director Zahid Hussain has constituted a two-member committee to probe the matter and submit a report in three days.

According to sources, senior hospital officials have removed lower staff who were looking after oxygen supply and have not yet taken any action against mid-level officials actually responsible for the situation.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 24^th, 2014.