Thieves make Jinnah Hospital building porous

LAHORE - The management of Jinnah hospital was shaken by a real surprise when it found 140 steel and iron windows missing from different rooms, wards and corridors of the building. The hospital officials consider it a handiwork of some unknown thieves and their abettors who have taken these windows, worth Rs 0.5 million away, in a most craftily manner from the hospital while they are still untraced despite much efforts. Surprisingly, the windows were removed from all the three floors of the building despite the deployment of scores of the security guards in the presence of doctors, nurses, paramedical staff and administration officials who were discharging duties round the clock. The matter was brought to the hospital administrations knowledge when a team of experts conducted survey of the multi-story building in connection with the installation of the central air conditioning system. The experts informed the administration that as no less than 140 windows were missing from all the three floors, it was not possible to install the system without new windows. The hospital administration believe that the windows, weighing at least 25 kg, each, cannot be removed without the connivance of the staff as it was almost impossible for the thieves to remove, pick and shift the windows especially from the first, second and third floors to outside the institute without the help of its employees. The hospital sources say most of the windows were stolen during night. The previous administrations of the Jinnah Hospital, however, took no notice of the incident perhaps to avoid Punjab Health Departments reaction, as most of the windows were stolen during the last three years. It has also been learnt that the present administration constituted an inquiry committee to probe into the matter but has made no headway so far despite much efforts in tracing the culprits. When contacted Principal Allama Iqbal Medical College/Jinnah Hospital confirmed the incident saying it is hard to believe as to how the criminals succeeded in stealing iron-made heavy windows in the presence of security guards and other staff. Replying to a question, the principal said at least 130 new iron-made windows have been installed at the missing points, as it was necessary before installation of the central air conditioning system. He said efforts were on to identify the thieves and the hospital staff involved in this crime, while security in and around the hospital had been beefed up.