NAWABSHAH, May 6: Patients at the People's Medical College Hospital are suffering owing to shortage of oxygen as seven to eight oxygen cylinders are being supplied to the hospital against the daily requirement of 15-16 cylinders.

On contacting the hospital, technician Syed Akbar Shah told this correspondent that there was an acute shortage of oxygen at the hospital due to which operation theatre lists had to be reduced.

Accountant Khawand Dino said that the oxygen and sui gas budget which came to Rs1.8 million a year, was exhausted last month and added that oxygen cylinder suppliers had reduced the daily supply as they were demanding Rs0.15 million due to them.

He said that the hospital administration had demanded additional funds of Rs1 million from the health department that were pending as yet. PMCH medical superintendent Dr Nisar Ahmed Shaikh, claiming that the situation was under control, however, said that the administration had decided to charge Rs100 from those patients who were on oxygen as the crisis could be overcome in this way.

Operations were being carried out as usual in the main, gynae and orthopaedic threatres, he added. A doctor, requesting anonymity, said that patients in the paediatric ward as well as the ICU were the worst sufferers.

On contacting the paediatric ward, Dr Hanif Bhangwar said that oxygen went short in the ward on Wednesday but the problem was now resolved. Patients and their relatives have demanded that the health department high-ups should resolve the problem immediately and release additional funds for the oxygen.

HEAT WAVE: Many people fell unconscious with several of them admitted to various hospitals here on Thursday as the mercury swelled to 48 degree Centigrade.

Bazaars and markets gave a deserted look throughout the district due to the immense heat which made everyday activities nearly impossible. Patients at the People's Medical College Hospital as well as motorcyclists were the worst sufferers.

The local Met office has said that in May, the weather would remain generally unchanged with temperatures reaching the 50ºC.

SHOT DEAD: A villager, Ghulam Nabi Bhatti, 35, was shot dead by his friend, Zameer Hussain Kumbo, in Chak No4 near 60 miles on Thursday.