Despite its rich cultural heritage and resilience, Chachro Taluka, one of the largest and most remote subdivisions in District Tharparkar, faces severe challenges in its health sector. Chachro continues to suffer from inadequate healthcare services, lack of proper infrastructure, and a shortage of medical professionals.
In 2014, the Sindh Government officially announced plans to upgrade the Rural Health Centre (RHC) in Chachro into a Taluka Headquarters (THQ) Hospital. The upgrade was meant to bring much-needed medical relief and treatment facilities to the people of this remote desert region. However, ten years later, the promise remains largely unfulfilled, leaving the poor and vulnerable population with no access to adequate healthcare.
While the notification and declaration were made on paper, the ground reality tells a different story. There has been no construction of new hospital buildings, no sanctioned staff or appointment of specialists, no provision of medicines or emergency services, and no approved SNE (Sanctioned New Expenditure) for equipment and salaries.
The people of Chachro, many of whom live below the poverty line, must travel 100–120 km to reach functional hospitals in Mithi or Umerkot. Pregnant women and children are most affected, with no maternal care, no neonatal units, and no ambulance services. The drought-prone region suffers from waterborne diseases and malnutrition, yet no diagnostic labs or treatment centres are available locally. Deaths from treatable illnesses continue to rise, all while promises remain stagnant.
The community of Chachro demands that the Sindh Government fulfil its 2014 promise by immediately upgrading the RHC to a fully functioning THQ Hospital, provide adequate medical staff, including specialists, nurses, and paramedics, release funds for equipment, medicines, and operations, and launch outreach services for surrounding villages and mobile clinics for desert areas. Health is not a luxury; it is a fundamental right. The people of Chachro have waited more than a decade for a promise that remains unkept.
Ali Nawaz Rahimoo
Umerkot
