KARACHI: Alleged negligence by officials of the Karachi Water & Sewerage Corporation has pushed the Institute of Skin Diseases, described as Asia’s largest dermatology hospital, to the verge of closure as the facility faces an acute water shortage despite regular payment of monthly bills.
While talking to Health Matters Media, Director of the hospital Dr Muhammad Paryal Jokhio said there has been a severe shortage of water for the past six months, while supply has remained completely suspended for the last 15 days. He said the facility had not received “a single drop of water” during this period despite repeated requests to the Managing Director of the water corporation and the concerned Chief Engineer.
Dr Jokhio stated that although the water corporation recently sent a tanker, the hospital was charged Rs9,000 for it. “This is a government hospital. How can we arrange Rs9,000 every time for a tanker?” he questioned. He further explained that the hospital’s main water supply line has not been functional for years and the institution had been relying on an alternative source, which has now also been completely cut off.
He added that officials advised the hospital administration to install a motor pump. With financial assistance from friends, the hospital spent Rs55,000 to install the pump, but water supply was still not restored.
The director said the hospital receives between 2,500 to 3,000 patients daily in its outpatient department, while several patients are also admitted each day. He warned that if water is not supplied by tonight, the administration would be left with no option but to suspend admissions from tomorrow.
Dr Jokhio said letters had also been written to the Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Karachi, but the issue remains unresolved. He urged the water corporation authorities to realize the gravity of the situation, emphasizing that the hospital serves thousands of patients suffering from skin diseases every day.
