The Faisalabad Institute of Cardiology (FIC) is facing problems in purchasing medicine and upgrading their machines due to a shortage of funds.
The institute provides free treatment and medical facilities to heart patients at its emergency and outpatient department.
The FIC is the second largest cardiology institute in the province after Punjab Cardiac Institute (PIC) Lahore.
Negligence and delay in procuring sufficient funds from the government has affected the service of the institute.
An officer of the FIC on the condition of anonymity told The Express Tribune that the government had allocated Rs240 million for the institute this year but only 25 per cent funds had been released. He said shortage of founds had delayed the purchase of necessary equipment and medicines.
The 202-bed The Faisalabad Institute was constructed at an estimated cost of Rs1.5 billion to cater to heart patients of Faisalabad, Sargodha and adjacent areas.
The FIC became operational in November 2009 and five operation theaters were constructed.
Board of Management Chairman Asim Khursheed told The Express Tribune that the FIC was spending Rs510 million annually on treatments and surgeries.
He said the government had provided only Rs230 million and the institute was facing Rs280 million deficit.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 2nd, 2013.