Despite passing of a week, the Lahore Electric Supply Company (LESCO) officials are showing reluctance and demanding bribe to replace the burnt transformer of Lawrence Road area where Zeenat Laboratory is located. Due to week-long load shedding, the life of patients visiting the laboratory has turned miserable.
An official of the Zeenat Laboratory told Pakistan Today that a week ago, the main electricity wire coming from the meter and transformer was burnt and a complaint was registered with the LESCO the same day.
“Despite repeated reminders, the LESCO officials haven’t yet showed up to replace the burnt transformer,” the official said.
He further said, “The LESCO officials are asking for money to resolve the issue.”
He added that the laboratory has spent over Rs 27,000 on the diesel for generators in order to carry out tests and deliver the reports on time.
A paramedic at the laboratory told Pakistan Today that the laboratory is using generator to run centrifuge, electronic microscope, CBC machine and other radiology equipment but still the ACs are not working which is making it difficult for the patients to stay in the laboratory for the tests.
“We are here for an X-ray and blood tests of my old mother who had a broken arm and the air conditioners are not working, making it difficult to even sit inside the premises,” said Ghulam Abbas, who visited the laboratory on Wednesday along with his mother.
“Zeenat Laboratory is the second largest laboratory of the country and thousands of patients visit it daily for medical tests. I request the high ups of LESCO and WAPDA to please solve the issue as soon as possible,” said another patient Ameera Ahmed, who visited the laboratory for a CBC test on Wednesday.
When contacted, XEN Islamia Park sub-division said that he received the complaint and application from the laboratory on Wednesday and the matter will be solved within a day or two.
“I have signed the application and forwarded it the officials concerned,” he added.
When enquired as to why there was a delay in restoring the electricity, the XEN lost his temper and misbehaved with the scribe.
“Who the hell are you to ask me these questions? I am not your servant to answer every question you ask,” he said while denying that any officials of his sub-division asked for money.
