According to Unicef, around 60 per cent of the people in Balochistan are living without health facilities
TURBAT: Balochistan is the largest province of Pakistan in terms of area but the smallest in terms of population. It is also the richest province in the country in terms of the quantity of gold, copper and gas it has, along with a deep-sea port which is the second largest of its kind in the world. Unfortunately, Balochistan is still backward and deprived of development. There are about 32 districts including Kech, one of the biggest districts of Balochistan, and the native district of the current chief minister of Balochistan. Despite this, people here are deprived of basic facilities such as health, education and shelter. According to Unicef, around 60 per cent of the people in the province are living without health facilities and one in every 10 women dies during pregnancy.
The district has only one District Headquarter Hospital which is situated in Tehsil Turbat in the main city and people from far-flung areas, such as Zamuran, Buleda, Dasht and Hoshaba are hardly ever able to reach this hospital for treatment. It is due to this that the child mortality rate is increasing by the day.
The Government of Balochistan, in collaboration with NGOs, should take serious action on this issue. Otherwise people will continue to lose their lives.
Shay Faist
Published in The Express Tribune, April 23rd, 2015.
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