Hundreds of air conditioners purchased for government teaching hospitals under the Specialized Healthcare and Medical Education Department have yet to be installed despite being procured about three years ago, according to official documents.
The documents indicate that around 6,600 air conditioners were purchased for government hospitals at a cost of approximately Rs2.5 billion.
Despite the passage of three summer seasons since the procurement, installation of the units has not been completed, the documents show.
More than 200 air conditioners are still lying in government stores, while over 500 units delivered to various government hospitals have yet to be installed, according to the records.
The delay has left several healthcare facilities without the benefit of the equipment during successive summer seasons, when temperatures typically place additional pressure on patients and hospital staff.
According to the documents, one of the main reasons for the delay is the lack of funds to purchase additional aluminium pipes required for the installation of the air conditioners.
Officials said the absence of the necessary accessories has prevented the completion of the installation process despite the availability of the equipment.
The matter has raised questions over planning and implementation within the Specialized Healthcare and Medical Education Department, particularly regarding the procurement of equipment without ensuring the availability of all components required for installation.
Reporter: Zahid Chaudhary