I discovered that there was not a single neurosurgeon in the entire G-B region.
GILGIT: It was in September that my 23-year-old brother met with a road accident on the Karakoram Highway in Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B). We decided to shift him to the Combined Military Hospital, Gilgit, instantly. However, when we reached there, I was informed that there was no neurosurgeon in the hospital, who could operate upon my brother.
In fact, I discovered that there was not a single neurosurgeon in the entire G-B region. Travelling to another city for an operation is difficult as the plane schedule to other cities is often delayed due to G-B’s rough weather and every citizen can’t afford exorbitant air tickets. I request the federal and G-B governments to arrange for neurosurgeons in the area so that people’s lives can be saved. I have lost my brother and cannot get him back, but can surely raise a voice so that others don’t meet the fate he did.
Ikram Ullah
Published in The Express Tribune, December 3rd, 2013.
Like Opinion & Editorial on Facebook, follow @ETOpEd on Twitter to receive all updates on all our daily pieces.
